Rape Kit Samples: When “Inconclusive” DNA Is Still Worth a Second Look

Short answer

When a rape kit DNA result is reported as inconclusive, that does not automatically mean the DNA is unusable. Rape kit samples are often still the most important items to consider for computer interpretation first. TrueAllele^® Casework can often recover more information from the same lab DNA data. If you are going to screen anything first, rape kit samples are often the right place to start.

What to do next

1. Start with the rape kit sample data first.
2. Request the required electronic DNA data files (.fsa or .hid).
3. Include any available reference profiles.
4. Submit a Free TrueAllele Screening inquiry.

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 rape kit 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.

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.