Developments
Guidelines & Protocols Medico-legal care for survivors/victims of Sexual Violence, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, (2014)
These guidelines establish protocols for medical practitioners and institutions to follow for medico-legal care of survivors of sexual violence. Guidelines include instructions on therapeutic care, medical examination and forensic evidence collection protocols. Instructions on preparation of medical examination reports of survivors are also detailed here.
Forensic Medicine
Guidelines for Forensic Medical Examination in Sexual Assault cases, Directorate of Forensic Science Services, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, (2018)
The Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), published guidelines for medical examiners on collection of evidence in sexual assault cases. These guidelines also instruct medical practitioners on the kinds of evidence that should be sent to forensic laboratories and their manner of collection. The guidelines provide detailed instructions on storage and preservation of evidence. It also provides instruction on the use of Sexual Assault DNA Evidence Collection Kit (SAECK).
The Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, (2016)
Published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Minnesota Protocol, lays down guidelines that should be followed during investigation of potentially unlawful death. It is considered a key international standard covering guidelines on various investigative steps including detailed guidelines for medical practitioners on conducting autopsies.
Guidelines for collection, storage and transportation of Crime Scene Biological samples for Investigating Officers, Directorate of Forensic Science Services, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
These guidelines by the DFSS, are meant for investigating officers (IOs) to aid them in the process of crime scene management and evidence collection. These guidelines provide instructions to IOs on collection, preservation and storage of different types of evidence found at a crime scene. There are also instructions on contamination control, recording the crime scene and maintaining the chain of custody.
Crime Scene Management
DNA Profiling
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Internal Report 8351-DRAFT-DNA Mixture Interpretation: A Scientific Foundation Review
The National Institute of Standards and Technology conducted a review of the scientific literature and published laboratory studies on DNA mixture interpretation. The study establishes 16 key principles for DNA mixture interpretation. The report also states that the PGS systems utilize more information from a DNA profile than binary approaches and are therefore a more advantageous process for DNA mixture interpretation. The draft report concludes that “there is not enough publicly available data '' to assess the reliability of DNA mixture interpretation practices, including probabilistic genotyping software (PGS) systems.
Texas Forensic Science Commission’s (TFSC) Final Audit Report for Austin Police Department Forensic Services Division DNA Section (Audit Report), 2020
In 2016, Texas Forensic Science Commission conducted an audit of the Austin Police Department (APD) DNA laboratory. Following this, the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law, reviewed the issues identified in the aforementioned audit and summarized its findings in this report. The report identifies the errors conducted by the analysts in the laboratory and elaborates on areas that require further improvement. The audit identified 57 factors that affected the quality issues in the APD DNA Laboratory The report is an interesting case study of a DNA laboratory and how ill-equipped systems can affect the working within the laboratory. The report, based on stakeholder discussions presents recommendations for better quality output from DNA laboratories.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Three Hundred Fortieth Report on The DNA Technology (Use And Application) Regulation Bill, 2019
The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PCS) for review. The PCS based on oral and written submissions from various experts and stakeholders, published this report. Recommendations included change in the definition of “DNA profile”, offences which should be included in the offender’s database and the removal of regional databases.
Forensic DNA Analysis: A primer for courts by The Royal Society and The Royal Society of Edinburgh
This primer provides an introduction to the structure of DNA and the basics of Forensic DNA profiling. It addresses the issues with collection, storage and testing of DNA samples collected during criminal casework. The primer also highlights the challenges in interpretation of DNA profiles and the factors that courts should consider while evaluating DNA evidence.
Establishing best practice for forensic DNA databases, Forensic Genetics Policy Initiative, (2017)
The Forensic Genetics Policy Initiative is a collaboration of GeneWatch UK, Privacy International and the Council for Responsible Genetics. In 2017, it published best practices for establishing forensic DNA databases. Based on extensive consultations and analysis of DNA database legislations across the world, the report has set forth a series of best practice guidelines to be considered before establishing a forensic DNA database. The report covers safeguards for DNA collection and analysis, storage and linking of DNA data as well as covers issues related to DNA evidence in court.
Making Sense of Forensic Genetics: What DNA can tell you about a crime?
This guide introduces and addresses the myths about DNA profiling and explains what DNA results can and cannot tell us about a crime. This guide explains how forensic DNA profiles are currently generated, the meaning of ‘match’ and the probabilistic nature of DNA evidence. The guide also outlines the future applications of DNA analysis within the criminal justice system. Read More →
Explainer on DNA Mixtures
This is a simple explainer prepared by the US National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) to understand what are DNA mixtures and why they are difficult to interpret?
FBI’s Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM)
FBI’s Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) has created guidelines on different steps in DNA Profiling, including collection of biological evidence, contamination prevention, enhanced detection methods for low template DNA, and interpretation of STR typing results.
The Organisation of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC)
The Organisation of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) under the administration of the NIST has approved standards on different aspects of forensic science, including DNA profiling.
The UK Forensic Science Regulator
The UK Forensic Science Regulator has prepared guidelines for interpretation of DNA mixtures and agreed terms for reporting of results in courts.
US Department of Justice (DOJ) guidelines on Uniform Language for Testimony & Reports on Autosomal DNA testing, Mitochondrial DNA and Y-STR DNA
US Department of Justice (DOJ) guidelines on Uniform Language for Testimony & Reports on Autosomal DNA testing, Mitochondrial DNA and Y-STR DNA. These documents provide guidance on how reports and testimony should be given by forensic DNA examiner, in order to ensure accuracy, reliability and consistency.
Fingerprint
Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology (SWGFAST)
Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology (SWGFAST) aims to establish guidelines for friction ridge examination as well as standards quality management. In 2014, SWGFAST operations came to a close and transitioned to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) Friction Ridge Subcommittee (FRS). The SWGFAST guidelines will remain in effect until FRS standards are available.
US DOJ guidelines on Uniform Language for Testimony & Reports on forensic latent print examination
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Report on Quality and Gap Analysis in Latent Fingerprint Examination
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Report on Quality and Gap Analysis in Latent Fingerprint Examination surveys the current status of scientific literature on fingerprint analysis. The Report examines the fundamental assumptions underlying fingerprint analysis and provides recommendations on accurate reporting of fingerprint analysis and future areas of research.
The UK Forensic Science Regulator
The UK Forensic Science Regulator has created guidelines for visualisation and imaging of fingerprints, and comparison of latent prints with known fingerprints.
Bitemark
Report of the Texas Forensic Science Commission on scientific examination of forensic bitemark comparison as a discipline
Report of the Texas Forensic Science Commission on scientific examination of forensic bitemark comparison as a discipline. After a thorough scientific examination, the Commission concluded that bitemark comparison should not be admitted as evidence in criminal cases until sufficient empirical testing to demonstrate the validity and reliability of bitemark analysis is conducted.
Read More →
Cognitive Bias
The UK Forensic Science Regulator
The UK Forensic Science Regulator has created guidelines explaining how cognitive bias affects different forensic disciplines, including DNA mixtures and fingerprints, and outlines strategies for mitigating effects of such bias.