New publication - The reliability and reporting of DNA match strength for uncertain genotype evidence.

Victim Clothing Mixtures: How Sex Crimes Investigators Should Handle Complex DNA

Short answer

Victim clothing can carry mixed or low-level DNA that is important, even if a lab could not fully interpret the evidence data. This evidence may get reported as inconclusive or too complex, but still have value. Start with the most probative clothing items, request the electronic DNA data files, and have TrueAllele® screen the same lab data before assuming the evidence is a dead end.

What to do next

  1. Identify the clothing items most likely to carry mixed DNA.
  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 the clothing 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.