Use of DNA profiles for investigation using a simulated national DNA database: Part I. Partial SGM Plus profiles.
In traditional criminal investigation, uncertainties are often dealt with using a combination of common sense, practical considerations and experience, but rarely with tailored statistical models. For example, in some countries, in order to search for a given profile in the national DNA database, it must have allelic information for six or more of the ten SGM Plus loci for a simple trace. If the profile does not have this amount of information then it cannot be searched in the national DNA database (NDNAD). This requirement (of a result at six or more loci) is not based on a statistical approach, but rather on the feeling that six or more would be sufficient. A statistical approach, however, could be more rigorous and objective and would take into consideration factors such as the probability of adventitious matches relative to the actual database size and/or investigator's requirements in a sensible way. Therefore, this research was undertaken to establish scientific foundations pertaining to the use of partial SGM Plus loci profiles (or similar) for investigation.
Hicks
T
T
School of Criminal Justice, University of Lausanne, Batochime, Lausanne Dorigny, Switzerland. tacha.hickschampod@unil.ch
Taroni
F
F
Curran
J
J
Buckleton
J
J
Ribaux
O
O
Castella
V
V
D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D030561:Databases, Nucleic Acid; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction