- 01 Introduction
- 02 Biology of DNA
- 03 Practical Issues Specific to DNA Evidence
- 04 Introduction to the Forensic DNA Laboratory
- 05 Assuring Quality in DNA Testing
- 06 Understanding a Forensic DNA Lab Report
- 07 Statistics and Population Genetics
- 08 Mitochondrial DNA & Y-STR Analysis
- 09 Forensic DNA Databases
- 10 Collection of DNA Evidence from Suspects and Arrestees
- 11 Pretrial DNA Evidence Issues
- 12 Victim Issues
- 13 Trial Presentation
- 14 Postconviction DNA Cases
- 15 Emerging Trends
Principles of Forensic DNA
for Officers of the Court
for Officers of the Court
Module 4 :: Intro To the Lab
Topic 3 :: Forensic DNA Laboratory Organization
Laboratory Structure (cont.)
Not all laboratories are capable of the same DNA testing either. Most DNA labs have the capability to conduct testing on nuclear DNA, which is the single copy of DNA that exists in every cell nucleus. A select few specialize in Y-STR testing, which is DNA conducted on the Y-chromosome, which is found only in males.
Others specialize in testing mitochondrial DNA (or mtDNA), which is found in every cell of the body regardless of the presence of a nucleus.
These specialized DNA tests (Y-STRs and mtDNA) will be discussed in more detail in Module 8.
