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Computational methods for the objective review of forensic DNA testing results

Gilder, Jason R.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1183999841

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Wright State University, Computer Science and Engineering PhD.
Since the advent of criminal investigations, investigators have sought a "gold standard" for the evaluation of forensic evidence. Currently, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology is the most reliable method of identification. Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA genotyping has the potential for impressive match statistics, but the methodology not infallible. The condition of an evidentiary sample and potential issues with the handling and testing of a sample can lead to significant issues with the interpretation of DNA testing results. Forensic DNA interpretation standards are determined by laboratory validation studies that often involve small sample sizes. This dissertation presents novel methodologies to address several open problems in forensic DNA analysis and demonstrates the improvement of the reported statistics over existent methodologies. Establishing a dynamically calculated RFU threshold specific to each analysis run improves the identification of signal from noise in DNA test data. Objectively identifying data consistent with degraded DNA sample input allows for a better understanding of the nature of an evidentiary sample and affects the potential for identifying allelic dropout (missing data). The interpretation of mixtures of two or more individuals has been problematic and new mathematical frameworks are presented to assist in that interpretation. Assessing the weight of a DNA database match (a cold hit) relies on statistics that assume that all individuals in a database are unrelated – this dissertation explores the statistical consequences of related individuals being present in the database. Finally, this dissertation presents a statistical basis for determining if a DNA database search resulting in a very similar but nonetheless non-matching DNA profile indicates that a close relative of the source of the DNA in the database is likely to be the source of an evidentiary sample.
Travis Doom (Advisor)
185 p.
Bioinformatics; Forensics; PCR-STR DNA; Limit of detection; Degraded DNA; Mixture interpretation; DNA databases; Familial searching

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gilder, J. R. (2007). Computational methods for the objective review of forensic DNA testing results [Doctoral dissertation, Wright State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1183999841

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gilder, Jason. Computational methods for the objective review of forensic DNA testing results. 2007. Wright State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1183999841.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gilder, Jason. "Computational methods for the objective review of forensic DNA testing results." Doctoral dissertation, Wright State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1183999841

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

wright1183999841
1,838
© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.