DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications
by Lawrence Kobilinsky

This reference provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to this important and increasingly prevalent legal tool. Designed to reach readers in both legal and scientific fields, this text gives a global view of the practical issues involved in the forensic use of DNA.

In clear, nontechnical language, the text covers:

• A scientific overview of DNA and common DNA tests
• Techniques used by criminalists on the path from crime scene to final laboratory analysis
• Procedures used to analyze biological evidence
• Human genetics, population genetics, and statistics in the context of DNA testing and genetic profiling
• Understanding and interpreting DNA evidence with respect to past and present law
• Concepts and procedures used in challenging or defending DNA evidence
• Postconviction appeals based on analysis of existing DNA evidence, including a discussion of The Innocence Project
• The future of DNA technology with respect to legal evidence gathering and analysis

In a unique combination of legal practice and scientific analysis, DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications provides forensic scientists, potential expert witnesses, and professionals in the criminal justice system with the definitive resource on the methods of DNA analysis as well as the handling, potential, and limitations of DNA evidence.

Contents

1. Biochemistry, Genetics and Replication of DNA
   • Evolution of Identification: From Faces to Fingerprints to DNA.
   • DNA and Heredity
   • DNA Replication

2. Biological Evidence—Science and Criminal Investigation
   • Crime Scene Investigation—Biological Evidence
   • Serology
   • Chain of Custody

3. Forensic DNA Analysis Methods
   • Associative Evidence and Polymorphism.
   • Restriction Fragment-Length Polymorphism
   • Polymerase Chain Reaction
   • Analysis of Y-Chromosome STRS
   • Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA
   • Problems with PCR
   • Underlying Facts and Assumptions in Forensic DNA Testing

4. Genetics, Statistics, and Databases
   • Human Genetics, Population Genetics, and Statistics
   • Population Genetics
   • Need for Quality Control and Quality Assurance.
   • SWGDAM (Formerly Known as TWGDAM) Standards.
   • DNA Advisory Board.
   • Mitochondrial DNA and Y-Chromosome STR Analysis and Statistical Calculations.
   • Experimental Controls.
   • Validation of New DNA Methods.
   • Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Analysis.
   • Database Size and Composition.
   • DNA Databases.
   • Power of Discrimination.
   • Mixtures and Statistics.
   • Probability of Exclusion.
   • Likelihood Ratio (LR).
   • Paternity Determinations
   • Lab Accreditation, Certification, Reputation, and Facilities
   • Reviewing a DNA Report—A Sample RFLP Analysis.
   • Reviewing a DNA Report—A PCR-Based DNA Examination (HLADQA1, PM, D1S80, and CTT-CSF1PO, TPOX, THO1).
   • Reviewing a DNA Report—A PCR-STR-Based DNA Examination (CODIS Loci).
   • Reviewing a Paternity Report Based on Analysis of DNA

5. Litigating a DNA Case
   • Legal Theory
   • Admissibility of DNA Evidence
   • Legal Practice
   • DNA for Defense Attorneys—Contesting DNA Evidence.
   • DNA for Prosecutors.
   • DNA for Judges

6. DNA Evidence at Trial
   • Attacking and Defending DNA Evidence
   • DNA for the Prosecutor or Those Who Seek to Admit DNA Evidence.
   • DNA for the Defense or Those Who Seek to Mitigate the Effect of DNA Evidence

7. Exonerating the Innocent through DNA
   • Postconviction Appeals Based upon DNA Evidence.
   • Postconviction DNA Testing: Recommendations for Handling Requests
   • Legal Standards Governing Postconviction Testing
   • Postconviction DNA Testing Statutes.
   • Preventing Postconviction DNA Testing through Waiver.
   • The Future of DNA Technology

Appendices
Index

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