Investigator FAQ: Low-Level DNA, Inconclusive Results, and Next Steps

What is low-level DNA?

Low-level DNA is evidence when there is a small amount of DNA on an item that can make interpretation more difficult.

Does low-level DNA always mean the evidence is too weak to use?

No. Low-level means harder to interpret, not automatically useless.

Why can’t a lab always get information?

Because low-level DNA can be a mixture, have uncertainty, or be subject to reporting limits that keep the result from being useful.

What does inconclusive mean?

Usually that the lab’s initial interpretation did not produce an answer. It does not always mean the DNA item has no information.

Can the same DNA data still matter?

Sometimes, yes. A first result may report all the DNA information present in the data.

What does recent research show?

Our recent peer-reviewed findings demonstrate that useful DNA information can be lost when thresholds and reporting cutoffs limit what gets used or reported.

When should I request a free TrueAllele screening?

When the item is important, the current result did not help the case, and you need to know whether the same data still deserves another look.

What should I send?

Start with the electronic DNA data files (.fsa or .hid) including allelic ladder files, the current report if available, the item description, and your case question.For more information on what to request from the lab, see the Sending Cases for TrueAllele Processing page.

Ready to Submit?

Tell us about your case. We’ll review it and tell you if we can get more information from the DNA data.

Free Screening

We don’t retest physical evidence items. We interpret the electronic DNA data a lab already generated.