Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Publication

Legal Standards and Significance of DNA Evidence

Gomulkiewicz, Richard
Slade, Norman A.
Citations
Altmetric:
Abstract
Most human biologists are aware of controversies regarding the use of DNA profiles in the courtroom. Much attention has been given to estimating the probability of obtaining matches between DNA samples from an innocent suspect and those from a crime scene, but considerably less attention has been given to the critical issue of determining the probability of guilt given a match. Using Bayes' rule and simple algebra, we develop a measure of the strength of DNA evidence that indicates the amount of incriminating evidence needed in combination with DNA match evidence to meet a given conviction standard. Based on current standards and practices, we use this measure to demonstrate that (1) the amount of non-DNA evidence needed to convict, given a DNA match, generally is quite small, even if errors can occur in the processing of DNA evidence: (2) DNA match evidence alone is insufficient to convict, even for the lowest recognized conviction standards; (3) failure to match DNA evidence samples should be exculpatory unless laboratory proficiency is poor; and (4) if errors in handling evidentiary samples occur (even rarely) that tend to produce a false DNA match, then the legal significance of DNA evidence is remarkably insensitive to estimates of chance match probability.
Description
This is the publisher's version. It is also available electronically from: http://www2.lib.ku.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=14389935&sid=1&Fmt=4&clientId=42567&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Date
1997-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wayne State University Press
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
BAYES' RULE, DNA PROFILE, CONVICTION STANDARD, HANDLING ERROR
Citation
Gomulkiewicz, R., and N. A. Slade. 1997. Legal standards and the significance of DNA evidence. Human Biology 69:675-688.
DOI
Embedded videos