low copy number dna

[jannyneve]

do you think low copy number dna evidence is safe to covict a person if no other evidence exists?

[jake-the-peg]

Nope, I think PCR methods are fine and good to identify a suspect and good as supporting evidence but if given a suspect there is no other evidence, no witness, no additional forensic evidence, no mobile phone location evidence no other evidence at all and the DNA that you're comparing is not the original taken from the crime scene but duplicated "copies" from a tiny original sample then I wouldn't call that "beyond reasonable doubt".

Now "balance of probability" in a civil case is another matter - I could be persuaded that it might be good enough for that but not in a criminal case.

[jannyneve]

thank you,the reason im asking this is because someone i know was convicted on this alone last year , and is now in the process of aplying for an appeal,the dna was from nearly 20 years ago,the dna was only 9 loci so wasnt even a full profile,the person has always maintained their innocence.

[jake-the-peg]

Well as I say I would suspect the DNA evidence is probably accurate -but I would have to question why it was that having identified this person the Police were unable to turn up any other corroberating evidence at all.

Beyond reasonable doubt is a high hurdle.

However this is only my personal opinion and there are defined procedures under hich DNA evidence is deemed acceptable so appealing against that is unlikely to be successful. Effectively you have to appeal that the procedures were not correctly followed. Samples mis handled etc. This was the basis on which the OJ Simpson DNA evidence was famously attacked

[StudentGal]

DNA is not classed as conclusive evidence amoungst forensic scientists but unfortunately the 'CSI effect' has really got to the public and they are bringing this into the courts. If LCN DNA was the ONLY evidence then he shouldn't have been convicted in my opinion

[michaelbbc]

Hi Jannyneve,

I'm a BBC reporter looking into possible miscarriages of justice involving LCN DNA. I would be keen to have more details about the case to which you are referring.

Many thanks,
Michael

[jannyneve]

thank you for your interest,the person refered to in my post happens to be a family member so i would rather not give details on names etc,if you are interested in lookng into this further and i can assure you theres something not right about this case, please contact me on the following email address,[email protected],once again thank you .