Statistical evaluation of forensic DNA sequence profiles

Abstract

DNA evidence has revolutionized criminal investigations and has played a crucial role in thousands of forensic cases. Nowadays, DNA typing is a mature field and overwhelmingly seen as the gold standard in forensic science. The interpretation of DNA evidence, however, is far from straightforward and challenges arise when evaluating complex profiles and assessing the statistical weight of the evidence. With the introduction of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies a new dimension has been added to the field, providing distinct advantages over traditional DNA profiling methods in terms of captured information. As a consequence, there is a need to re-evaluate existing statistical models and underlying parameters to facilitate DNA evidence evaluations for forensic sequence profiles. This dissertation examines the statistical impact of NGS data and the perceptions of their use within the forensic science community.