SWGDAM interpretation guidelines in place 2000 (4-pages) 2010 (28-pages) 2017 (90-pages) Statistical approach used in U.S. labs RMP (when mixture was deconvoluted) or CPI (often with no stochastic threshold) Mostly CPI (increasing use of stochastic thresholds) Still have CPI but a The laboratory's interpretation guidelines must be based on validation studies conducted according to the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing and Convicted Offender Databasing Laboratories. The SWGDAM Validation Guidelines and data from the scientific literature (such as Wilson et al. 1995a) should also be consulted. The Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods, better known by its acronym of SWGDAM, is a group of approximately 50 scientists representing Federal, State, and Local forensic DNA laboratories in the United States and Canada. During meetings, which are held twice a year, Committees discuss topics of interest to the forensic DNA community Three years into the effort (March 2017 at the writing of the abstract). HFSC now has 3,000 backlogged requests. The misunderstandings were exacerbated by unclear information published in SWGDAM guidelines, as well as the misinterpretation of certain language in Dr. John Butler's textbook entitled Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing The use of one fraction of a differential extraction to assist in the interpretation of the data from the other fraction of the same sample is appropriate and does not involve the use of a reference profile. Note: This standard does not conflict with the 2017 SWGDAM Interpretation Guidelines for Autosomal STR Typing by Forensic DNA Laboratories. Introduction. This review explores developments during the years 2016-2019 in forensic biology and forensic DNA analysis of biological evidence. Topics covered include expansion of the core short tandem repeat (STR) markers used in the U.S. national DNA database, rapid DNA testing, investigative genetic genealogy, next-generation sequencing The laboratory's interpretation guidelines should be based upon validation studies, data from the literature, instrumentation used, and/or casework experience. 1. Preliminary Evaluation of Data •SWGDAM Interpretation Guidelines 1.3.1: -The laboratory must establish criteria for evaluation of the following controls, including but not limited to: reagent blank and SWGDAM Y-Chromosome Short Tandem Repeat (Y-STR) Interpretation Guidelines. - The Y-STR Working Group will recommend an approach for the calculation of Y-chromosome haplotype frequency estimates and incorporate this guidance into its revision of the January 2009 SWGDAM Y-Chromosome Short Tandem Repeat (Y-STR) Interpretation Guidelines. Ian Evett on Interpretation "The crucial element that the scientist brings to any case is the interpretation of those observations. This is the heart of forensic science: it is where the scientist adds value to the process." Evett, I.W., et al. (2000). The impact of the principles of evidence interpretation on the DNA Mixture Interpretation Principles: Observations from a NIST Scientific Foundation Review AAFS 2019 Workshop #10 (February 18, 2019; Baltimore, MD) Disclaimer •I am a SWGDAM Member, but I am only here to present the •I am not speaking on behalf of SWGDAM. Full text on this recommendation (including standards, guidelines, and other