My lab DNA report says “inconclusive” in a homicide. What now?

Short answer

“Inconclusive” does not always mean the DNA is unusable. It often means the lab couldn’t interpret the mixture or low-level sample using their standard protocols. TrueAllele^® Casework can often obtain information from inconclusive data using the same lab data (no retesting).

What to do next

1. Circle the item(s) labeled “inconclusive” (or similar terminology) in the lab DNA report.
2. Get the required electronic DNA data files (.fsa or .hid).
3. 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 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

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

Common pitfalls

• Waiting for “perfect” evidence
• Not requesting the electronic files (we can’t complete a TrueAllele screening without them).

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.