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Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court

Methods and Method Validation

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DNA methods are subjected to extensive and rigorous evaluation before being accepted for routine use. The process is termed validation.

The degree of rigor is contextual: a proposed new DNA typing system undergoes extensive validation, including peer review and publication. The introduction of an established technology to an individual laboratory requires less rigorous validation. The first instance requires that the underlying characteristics of the testing are established. The second requires only that the laboratory is able to implement the established procedure correctly.

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