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Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court

Statistical Interpretation of the Evidence

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Typically there are three possible laboratory outcomes:

  1. If the DNA profiles from the evidentiary and known samples are consistent at each locus, laboratory analysts can interpret this finding as a "match""inclusion", or "failure to exclude."
  2. If the two profiles are not consistent at each locus, the finding can be interpreted as a "nonmatch" or "exclusion."
  3. If there are insufficient data to support a conclusion, the finding is often referred to as "inconclusive."

For a review of the laboratory interpretation of DNA evidence, refer to Module 6.

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