ABSTRACT
DNA analysis is the most accurate and reliable method for human identification. However, as with any scientific method, forensic DNA testing has problems and pitfalls that can compromise the integrity of the data and ultimately the cogency of DNA evidence. When analysing the results of STR genotyping the forensic scientist has to answer two crucial questions: (1) does the sample contain DNA from a single donor or is it a mixture of several contributors? and (2) has the genotype at each locus been unambiguously identified? Any mistakes in determining the number of contributors or genotype information drastically affect interpretation of the results.
