U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court

Exclusion or Non-match

Home  |  Glossary  |  Resources  |  Help  |  Contact Us  |  Course Map
 

When comparing a known sample to an evidence sample, the donor of the known is excluded as a source of the evidence if the profiles are different. This can either be referred to as an exclusion or a non-match .

When an individual is excluded as the source of DNA, it does not necessarily mean the individual was not involved. For example, a true perpetrator who left no detectable biological material will be excluded as a source of DNA.

Back Forward