Advanced issues in relation to DNA evidence

Forensic DNA testing is often held up as the ‘gold standard’ of forensic testing and is frequently presented without challenge at trial.  Recent experience in NSW and elsewhere in Australia has highlighted number of important limitations and misconceptions about DNA evidence about which practitioners should be informed so that such evidence can be appropriately tested and evaluated. Join Brett Hatfield, from the Criminal Law Committee and Jae Gerhard from Independent Forensic Services to cover the following:

• The types of testing which can be undertaken in relation to biological origin of material 
• Common problems with disclosure (or lack of disclosure) concerning limitations of the testing methods
• Limitations with laboratory accreditation under ISO 17025
• STRmix(TM) analysis and issues with deconvolution, interpretation of complex samples and false inclusion
• Trace DNA and it's transfer and persistence

The seminar assumes some prior knowledge of DNA evidence in relation to collection, analysis and reporting.