DNA Testing & Analysis

DNA testing has become one of the most important pieces of evidence that can be produced at trial.  The results can determine, in many instances, whether or not a defendant is found guilty.  Therefore, it is absolutely critical that counsel review, verify and support or challenge incriminating results.

AMFS possesses long-term relationships with top-tier laboratories specializing in the analysis of DNA samples and can arrange for these laboratories to independently review crime lab procedures and results as well as conduct an independent test upon request.


Some Questions Can Be Answered by Forensic DNA Analysis

What characteristics must the person who left the blood or body fluid have? This question is answered by characterizing the evidence through the analysis of genetic markers.

Could the blood or body fluid have come from a given individual? This question is answered by characterizing the genetic markers of the individual in question and then comparing them to the genetic markers in evidence.


DNA Comparison Testing Is Capable of Producing Three Results

When a comparison is made there are three possible results. The first is a positive non-match. The second is inconclusive or no information. The third is a positive match. In this context, the word positive is used to indicate that "to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty" a match or non-match exists.

What Does a non-match mean?

A non-match means that the evidence has a DNA profile which is different from the DNA profile of the person in question. This in turn means that the person in question cannot be the source of the DNA and, thus, cannot be the source of the evidence material.

What does "no information" mean?

No information means that the tests were not able to shed any light on what might or might not have happened. This means that the person to whom the DNA was compared is not excluded as a possible source of the evidence DNA, but, it also means that nobody else is excluded as a possible source. In this situation, DNA analysis has contributed no information to the judicial process.

What does a match mean?

A match means that the person in question is included in that group of people who are possible sources of the DNA. It does not mean that he or she is the source of the DNA.