ABSTRACT
Low template (LT) DNA testing is a reliable state-of-the-art technology used to recover and detect small amounts of DNA. Given the wide variety of potential evidentiary samples, this analysis is a powerful tool that can enhance law enforcement’s ability to identify or exclude individuals suspected of crimes. Samples that are suitable for LT-DNA testing are those that are of low quantity or quality. Accordingly, LT-DNA is also known as low level, low copy number, high sensitivity, trace, or “touch” DNA (Gill et al. 2000; Caddy et al. 2008; Gill et al. 2001; Balding and Buckleton 2009). e latter term refers to the predominant source of LT-DNA samples, handled items, on which only a few cells may be deposited. Sometimes categorized as a way to test the very smallest amounts of DNA (less than 100 pg, approximately less than 16 diploid cells), LT-DNA testing may exhibit increased stochastic eects.
