Principles of Forensic DNA
for Officers of the Court
Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court
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Module 3 :: Practical Issues

Topic 2 :: Initial Considerations in Laboratory Protocol

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Testing Considerations

Prior to DNA analysis, the case exhibits are described in the case notes. These notes will detail the physical attributes of the submitted items including the type of packaging, location of stains, and whether the stains were completely removed for further analysis.

Depending on the type of case and the total number of exhibits, complete examination, analysis, and review of the case can take from days to weeks. This time frame may be compounded by a laboratory's existing backlog. It is possible that a DNA case may not be examined until a year after submission.

Continued

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