1. What samples can I use for forensic testing ?

2.What kind of sample can be used as a reference sample ?

3. Can I do a forensic test with just a hair ?

4. How much sample is required to get a DNA profile ?

5. When is Y STR's used ?

6. What system do you use for DNA profiling ?

7. What is the world population ?

8. Can you say that a profile came from a particular individual?

9. Do you get the same results with a buccal swab as you would with a blood sample?

10. What is a good sample to take from a decomposing body ?

11. Can you detect the presence of blood or semen on a garment without doing DNA ?

12. What does an inconclusive result mean ?

13. How can I get a reference sample taken ?

14. Are the results of the tests reliable?

1. What samples can I use for forensic testing?

You can use a wide range of samples for forensic testing. Samples like blood, semen, saliva, urine, bones:essentially anything that conatins a cell.

2. What kind of sample can be used as a reference sample?

You can use a blood sample or and oral swab as a reference sample. This sample must be taken by trained personnel and the chain of custody maintained.

3. Can I do a forensic test with just a hair ?

For STR testing the hair must have a root. You can perform mitochondrial DNA analysis on the shaft of the hair if a root is not present.

4. How much sample is required to get a DNA profile?

The DNA profile obtained depends on the integrity of the sample. If the DNA in the sample is degraded or insufficient then you may not be able to generate a DNA profile.

5. When is Y STR's used.

Y STRS's is used when you have a mixture of male and female DNA (typically from a vaginal swab). It is able to detect the male portion of the sample.

6.What system do you use for DNA profiling ?

We use the IDENTIFILER system which targets 16 DNA markers including a sex identification marker. We also use YFILER to detect male DNA in mixtures.

7. What is the world population?

The world population is over 6 billion people.

8.Can you say that a profile came from a particular individual?

Because we do not analyse the entire genome we cannot say a profile came from a single individual. We can however give a statistical evaluation of the profile, that is, what is the probability that someone else will have the same profile. Usually this is <1 in 6 billion.

9. Do you get the same results with a buccal swab as you would with a blood sample?

Yes. DNA that is taken from any cell from any part of the body is the same.

10. What is a good sample to take from a decomposing body?

Good samples to take are ribs, sternum, long bones or teeth.

11. Can you detect the presence of blood or semen on a garment without doing DNA?

Yes. Preliminary tests peformed on evidence can detect the presence of blood and semen. These areas can then be targeted for DNA analysis.

12. What does an inconclusive result mean?

This means that a profile could not be generated from the sample. This is due to degraded or insufficient DNA.

13. How can I get a reference sample taken.

Simply contact us to arrange an appointment for the taking of the reference sample.

14. Are the results of the tests reliable?

Yes. All tests are performed according to standards that meet or exceed that of the industry.