ABSTRACT
There are many different ways in which DNA profiles can be assessed, but it is never enough simply to say that a match has been found between a crime stain and an individual and, therefore, this implies the crime stain originates from the accused. So the question arises: how do we assess the result of a match? The answer is the use of a database. There are broadly two different types of database: the first is used to calculate frequencies of DNA profile, and the second is used as a comparison between an anonymous crime sample and an arrested individual. It always needs to be remembered that if there is an exclusion, no amount of argument can implicate the defendant; an exclusion is an exclusion and in these circumstances databases are of no value.
