Sexual Assault DNA Came Back “Inconclusive” or “Not Searchable”:
What's the Next Step?

Short answer

When a lab report concludes that DNA evidence in a sexual assault case is inconclusive, uninterpretable, too complex, not searchable, has too many contributors, or has insufficient genetic information, that does not always mean the DNA cannot help the case. The next step is usually to get the lab's electronic DNA data files, identify which items produced the mixed or low-level result, and submit the case for a free TrueAllele^® screening to determine what information is present in the DNA data. Cybergenetics services using TrueAllele technology can often obtain helpful information from the same lab DNA data.

We do not retest physical evidence items. We use TrueAllele to re-interpret the electronic DNA data files (.fsa or .hid) a DNA lab already generated.

Cybergenetics TrueAllele Casework Services

• Used by 600+ agencies in more than 1,500 cases across 48 states and federal jurisdictions.
• Accepted in court (50 admissibility decisions, 165+ trials, 15+ exonerations)
• Validated for low-level and complex mixtures (up to 10 unknown contributors), including handguns.
• Casework services include free screening, court reports, pre-trial preparation, and expert testimony.
• Typical turnaround time is 3 weeks; expedited service is available for a fee.

Who uses this

• Investigators and major-crimes units
• Prosecutors and DA investigators
• Defense attorneys
• Innocence groups
• Crime labs (as part of the workflow)

Cybergenetics is not a DNA testing lab: TrueAllele interpretation uses the lab’s electronic DNA data files. “Cybergenetics complements the crime lab - taking their data across the goal line.”

What inconclusive can mean in a sexual assault case

Inconclusive does not always mean "no DNA results."

It can mean:

• The lab detected DNA, but could not interpret all of the data.
• The item contains DNA from more than one person.
• The profile is low-level or partial.
• The result was too complex for interpretation.
• The evidence may still be worth screening using the DNA data already generated.

Sexual assault DNA evidence may go unused for these reasons. Items tied to contact, force, restraint, handling, clothing, or bedding may contain DNA from multiple people. That can make the result more difficult to interpret, but not necessarily unusable.

Common sexual assault evidence that becomes too complex

These are the places mixtures happen most often:

• Intimate swabs
• Clothing
• Bedding or fabric items
• Ligatures or restraint items
• Handled objects at the scene
• Items touched by both victim and offender
• Other high-contact evidence tied to force, movement, or restraint

Sexual assault DNA evidence data can be difficult to interpret because there may be multiple contributors with offender DNA mixed with victim or background DNA. That is often why a lab result may come back as inconclusive, uninterpretable, or not searchable. If that happened in your case, submit the data for a TrueAllele screening. In sexual assault case files, TrueAllele has been used on items including clothing, a bathtub handle, a phone, zip ties, belts, and other mixed evidence tied to the assault.

Is TrueAllele a good fit for my case?

Good fit if your case has any of these

• Lab DNA report with conclusions like inconclusive, uninterpretable, too complex, too many contributors, insufficient genetic information, or similar terminology.
• A mixed profile (mixture) or a partial/low-level profile (common with touch DNA).
• Evidence from sexual assault items (intimate swabs) or other high-contact items, such as clothing, bedding, ligatures, handled objects, or other items tied to force, restraint, or offender contact.

Not a fit (or not yet)

• You don't have the electronic DNA data files yet (see below).
• It's already a clean, single-source profile with a clear conclusion (TrueAllele screening can be done, but don't expect miracles).

What to do next

1. Write down which items that had an uninterpretable DNA result (and what the lab DNA report called it).
2. Get the required electronic DNA data files (.fsa or .hid).
3. Submit a Free TrueAllele Screening inquiry to learn more about what’s in your evidence.

What to send

• Please do not send biological evidence. The screening uses the lab’s autosomal STR electronic DNA data files (.fsa or .hid).

Please submit:

• For key evidence items, the lab’s electronic data (.fsa or .hid)
• For reference profiles (victim/elimination/POI), either allele lists or electronic data files
• Allelic ladder files for any electronic data
• Lab reports or other case documents
• Item ID list (which swabs/items the files belong to)
• A case submission form with case specific information and questions (e.g., compare to POI, interpret the inconclusive mixture, compare items, etc.)

For more information on what to request from the lab, see the Sending Cases for TrueAllele Processing page.

What you receive

After Free TrueAllele Screening

• A basic answer about the DNA information in your data, along with the next steps.

If you proceed to court

• A final report that explains the interpretation and results.
• Disclosure materials to supplement the analysis.
• Testimony preparation and demonstrative aid.

Common homicide evidence that becomes “too complex”

These are the places mixtures happen most often:

• Fingernails / defensive wounds
• Clothing (victim/suspect contact)
• Vehicle door handles, steering wheel, seatbelt, window controls
• Weapons (gun, magazine, swabs)
• Other high contact surfaces

If any of these came back as “inconclusive/uninterpretable/too complex,” screen it with TrueAllele.

Turnaround time

• Standard turnaround for all casework (including screening) is typically 3 weeks.
• Rush services are available for an added fee.

TrueAllele court usage

• Includes disclosure materials and expert testimony.
• TrueAllele results have been used in courts across jurisdictions.

FAQ

What does inconclusive mean in a sexual assault DNA case?

It usually means the lab found DNA, but could not interpret all of the data. That may be because the profile is mixed, low-level, partial, or too complex for their protocols. It does not always mean the DNA cannot still help the case.

What does not searchable mean?

It usually means the DNA result did not meet the requirements to be searched in a DNA database. It does not automatically mean the mixed DNA has no investigative value.

Can mixed DNA still be useful in a sexual assault case?

Yes. Sexual assault evidence often involves mixtures from more than one person. Mixed DNA can still be useful if all of the data is interpreted.

What if the victim's DNA is expected to be on the item?

That is common with sexual assault evidence. The question is often whether additional contributors are present in the mixed DNA data. TrueAllele screening often obtains more information for non-victim contributors using the same lab DNA data.

How many contributors can TrueAllele handle?

Mixed samples can involve multiple contributors; TrueAllele is validated up to 10 unknown contributors.

Do you need the physical evidence?

No. Please do not send biological evidence. TrueAllele analysis uses the lab’s electronic DNA data.

Will our lab release the data?

TrueAllele screening is designed to be a complement to the crime lab: we re-interpret the lab’s already generated electronic DNA data. Many labs have released data for interpretation services.

What should I ask the lab for after an inconclusive result?

Request the evidence item electronic DNA data files (.fsa or .hid), item IDs, and any available reference profiles.

How long does it take?

Typically 3 weeks, with expedited service available for a fee.

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.