Evaluating forensic biology results given source level propositions

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_087B07F5D2A9
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Evaluating forensic biology results given source level propositions
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics
Author(s)
Taylor Duncan, Abarno Damien, Hicks Tacha, Champod Christophe
ISSN
1872-4973
ISSN-L
1872-4973
Publication state
Published
Issued date
03/2016
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
21
Pages
54-67
Language
english
Abstract
The evaluation of forensic evidence can occur at any level within the hierarchy of propositions depending on the question being asked and the amount and type of information that is taken into account within the evaluation. Commonly DNA evidence is reported given propositions that deal with the sub-source level in the hierarchy, which deals only with the possibility that a nominated individual is a source of DNA in a trace (or contributor to the DNA in the case of a mixed DNA trace). We explore the use of information obtained from examinations, presumptive and discriminating tests for body fluids, DNA concentrations and some case circumstances within a Bayesian network in order to provide assistance to the Courts that have to consider propositions at source level. We use a scenario in which the presence of blood is of interest as an exemplar and consider how DNA profiling results and the potential for laboratory error can be taken into account. We finish with examples of how the results of these reports could be presented in court using either numerical values or verbal descriptions of the results.
Keywords
Source level propositions, Bayesian networks, Likelihood ratio, Hierarchy of propositions, STRmix, Body fluid, Presumptive tests, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Genetics
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
07/03/2016 15:25
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:30
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