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30-Apr-2021
Forensic® News launches new DNA Matters column by Cybergenetics founder
Today Forensic® News launched DNA Matters™ – a new Special Feature column by Cybergenetics founder and chief scientist Dr. Mark Perlin. In his inaugural article, Dr. Perlin explains "Why Forensic Genotypes are Probabilistic."
"Probabilistic genotyping" is now in crime laboratories, courts and the news. But why is this technology "probabilistic"? Where does randomness come into the DNA typing process? And how does "probgen" computing take care of it?
The first DNA Matters column tells the story of a serial rapist in Upstate New York, and the DNA he left on a pair of purple gloves. How crime laboratory processing introduced inherent randomness into the DNA data. And how TrueAllele® probabilistic genotyping resolved the DNA mixture to identify the criminal in the context of his crime.
"Why Forensic Genotypes are Probabilistic" is the DNA story of New York v. Casey Wilson. What happens when limited DNA interpretation methods give no answer, but advanced computing routinely brings DNA mixture evidence back into criminal justice? How does using better technology to get more information impact society?
The DNA Matters column explores forensic identification technology – and how it affects people and society – in the context of criminal cases.
Since 2005, Forensic® has been bringing professionals the products, news and research innovations essential to advancements in both the laboratory and the crime scene. Their e-newsletters are delivered to inboxes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Founded in 1994, Pittsburgh-based Cybergenetics innovates advanced computing to get more information out of biological data. Twenty years ago, founder Dr. Mark Perlin invented TrueAllele® probabilistic genotyping for automated human identification from DNA mixtures. The company helped identify victim remains in the World Trade Center disaster, and has helped exonerate ten innocent men.
Cybergenetics offers free TrueAllele screening of DNA evidence to prosecutors, defenders, police investigators, innocence groups, crime laboratories, forensic experts, and others. A free first look at critical DNA data can change the course of a criminal case.