The Forensic Science Training Institute
at Cedar Crest College

June 16-17, 2008

Pasquale Buffolino, Ph.D.
Medical Examiner’s Office
Nassau County (NY)
Laboratory Director
Department of Forensic Genetics

Lawrence Quarino, Ph.D., D-ABC
Forensic Science Program
Cedar Crest College

Statistical Interpretation of Forensic DNA Evidence is a workshop recommended for forensic DNA scientists and will provide a comprehensive understanding of the statistical evaluation of forensic DNA evidence. The fundamental theorems of statistics and population genetics will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on the generation and application of population DNA databases as they operate in accredited forensic DNA laboratories throughout the nation.

This course will also provide a detailed understanding of the qualitative and quantitative assessment of DNA mixtures. Modern advancements in DNA technology have increased the sensitivity of DNA detection methods and have improved the ability to detect minor contributors in DNA mixtures. The inherent difficulties associated with the interpretation of DNA mixtures, including STR artifacts which resemble true alleles, stochastic effects associated with low level amplification, and DNA degradation, will be covered. An emphasis will be placed on the deduction of CODIS eligible DNA profiles where individual contributors can be deduced from a mixed sample. In complex mixture situations where profile deduction cannot be determined with confidence, the significance of the Combined Probability of Exclusion and the Likelihood Ratio approaches will be discussed. True casework examples will be used to demonstrate mixture scenarios.

Maximum Number of Registrants: 30
Registration Fee: $100.00