- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- Introduction
- Objectives
- AFTE Knowledge and Ability Factors
- Types of Evidence
- Associative Evidence
- The Crime Scene
- Evidence Submission
- Laboratory Evidence Handling
- Case Tracking Within the Laboratory
- Firearm and Toolmark Examination Considerations
- Selected Bibliography
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Alternate Explanations
Home > Evidence Handling Procedures > Associative Evidence > Value of Associative Evidence > Alternate Explanations
The question may be posed as “Could it be that my DNA matches the target profile by chance?” and the known population frequencies can be used to provide the answer.
Other alternate explanation scenarios are more difficult to deal with, for example:
- Semen resulting from intercourse by consent, in contrast to rape
- Blood transferred in the course of giving assistance to an injured person
- A fingerprint deposited innocently at the location some time prior to the crime
