ABSTRACT
Over the years, the focus of trace collections has shifted from fibers and hairs to touch DNA. In 2011, the success rate of tested trace evidence was 60%. These successes provided informative DNA results that led the investigator to the suspect or gave foreign DNA results that may be compared to a suspect at a later date. In 2012, 50% of the trace cases tested yielded foreign DNA results, useful in comparing to suspects in the case. DNA profiles range from a few alleles below threshold, suitable only for exclusion of a suspect, to profiles that meet CODIS eligibility requirements and result in a CODIS match. In mid2013, we have already performed ~100 trace collections, double the number of collections performed for the entire year of 2012. There are many trace success cases being developed as we write this, and our hope is that the trend continues (Figures 8.1 to 8.25).
