Recent years have shown a growing effort in the evaluation of DNA given activity level propositions. Yet, its implementation remains challenging for forensic scientists due to the complexity of assessing relevant DNA TPPR mechanisms. One particular challenge is the sparsity of relevant experimental data …

Highlights • Mandates standardised protocols for the publication of DNA transfer and recovery data to ensure consistency • Requires open-sharing of non-allelic experimental and casework data in accessible formats to build a databank. • Specifies use of fully continuous probabilistic genotyping and NIST …

Residential burglaries often go unsolved, as collected DNA traces and fingermarks frequently originate from residents rather than the offender. It is therefore important to know how to target sampling locations that specifically relate to the burglary event. However, data that aid in assessing the likelihood …

Digital forensic scientists primarily rely on individual internal reasoning and categorical conclusions when evaluating evidence in casework. This can make it difficult to maintain structured reasoning that is logically sound, balanced, robust, and transparent. Trojan horse defense cases exemplify these …

We are concerned that EA-4/23 INF:2025 The Assessment and Accreditation of Opinions and Interpretations using ISO/IEC 17025:2017 provides inappropriate guidance on how to conduct forensic interpretation and on how to report forensic opinions. Following this guidance would result in misleading statements …

A large, recently published, inter-laboratory study by the ReAct group has shown that there is considerable variability in DNA recovery that exists between forensic laboratories. The presence of this inter-laboratory variability presents issues when one laboratory wishes to carry out an evaluation and …

Considering activity level propositions in the evaluation of forensic biology findings is becoming more common place. There are increasing numbers of publications demonstrating different transfer mechanisms that can occur under a variety of circumstances. Some of these publications have shown the possibility …

Evaluations of forensic observations considering activity level propositions are becoming more common place in forensic institutions. A measure that can be taken to interrogate the evaluation for robustness is called sensitivity analysis. A sensitivity analysis explores the sensitivity of the evaluation …

In sexual assault cases, the retrieved DNA quantity and sampling location from the victim’s underwear may provide valuable information for activity level evaluative reporting. DNA can transfer from site to site on an exhibit, or be lost within packaging, complicating interpretation. Experiments are needed …

Background & Aim: Technological innovations enable rapid DNA analysis implementation possibilities. Concordantly, rapid DNA devices are being used in practice. However, the effects of implementing rapid DNA technologies in the crime scene investigation procedure have only been evaluated to a limited …