Genomics and Forensic DNA Analysis

While TV shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and NCIS make crime solving appear trivial and show scientists making conclusions at high speeds with full resolution, real forensic DNA laboratories today are overwhelmed with evidence needing to be analyzed. Budgets are shrinking while case backlogs are growing. Quality must not suffer in spite of demands for higher quantities of sample processing. Improved automation of laboratory processes is an obvious solution particularly in the area of data interpretation. This presentation will review the current state-of-the-science and show what role genomic information, bioinformatics, and analytical chemistry can and do play in the ever evolving efforts of forensic DNA testing improvements. Applications of DNA testing for human identification purposes beyond forensic analysis will also be shown.