DNA examinations: preparing materials and checking conclusions
We help define the molecular genetic examination task and prepare materials for an appropriate specialist. We analyse reports, sample provenance and the grounds for conclusions about kinship or biological traces.
Areas of work
Choose an object or a task. Each service page explains the materials, sample questions and examination process.
Preparing a biological kinship examination
Defining the participants, input information and questions for laboratory examination.
Analysis of sample documents
Checking the documented connection between a participant, sample, packaging and laboratory result.
Preparing an indirect kinship examination
Analysis of the family structure and materials needed to choose an approach when a direct participant is unavailable.
Comparison of genetic reports
Analysis of reasons for differences between two examination results.
Materials and questions for a court examination
Preparing a focused list of questions and materials for discussion of the appointment of a genetic examination.
Analysis of a biological trace examination
Checking the contents of a report identifying biological material using the data provided.
Review of a molecular genetic expert report
An appropriate specialist checks examination completeness, interpretation of genetic data and justification of conclusions.
From source materials
to a verifiable result
The scope and methods are selected for the specific task.
Establish the source information
Enquiry purpose and list of relationship hypotheses to be tested.. We will clarify the information source, the object's condition and the questions.
Agree the scope of work
We determine the necessary methods, specialists, access to the object, timeframe and fee, and record the agreed terms.
Receive reasoned conclusions
The written result sets out the materials examined, the examination process, the answers to the questions and the limitations of the conclusions.
Understand the issues before enquiring
All articles →
Practical guidesKinship index and probability: what is needed to understand a DNA conclusion
How a kinship index differs from a probability percentage, why two genetic hypotheses are needed and which assumptions must be visible in the report.
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Expert report reviewTwo DNA reports differ: what a review checks
How to distinguish differences in samples, genetic data and statistical interpretation before treating two reports as contradictory.
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Practical guidesPreparing for a kinship examination: the task first, then samples
Participants, confirmation of sample provenance and hypotheses to be tested in a molecular genetic examination.
Read article ↗Expert report reviewDisagree with a DNA examination? What can be checked in the report
A focused check of sample provenance, genetic hypotheses, statistics and the limits of the conclusion.
Read article ↗Let’s discuss your task
Describe the situation and the materials you have. We will agree the questions, scope of work and format of the result.