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| Serology / Paternity / DNA Result Review Serology Serology is the testing of components in body fluids in order to gain information regarding the type of body fluid present, as well as the species origin of that fluid. In cases where a suspected body fluid is found it is often required to test this fluid and determine if it is human or from a domestic pet or food source. Defence Forensics UK can test items of clothing, weapons, swabs and anything in between for human body fluids. The most commonly tested body fluids include blood, semen and saliva. Other less often tested body fluids include mucus and feces. In all cases we are able to offer expert testing of body fluids to determine presence or absence of that suspected fluid which may have important implications for a case or personal relationship. Often forensic laboratories will do the minimum required amount of testing and make assumptions regarding the type of fluid found based on presumptive and DNA tests alone, thereby leaving the questions "was it really human body fluid that was recovered?, and “if human, was it semen / saliva or blood that was found?”. If this type of testing was not performed it can lead to doubt over the type of body fluid that was found and whether it was in fact determined to be human. In the role of forensic result reviewer Defence Forensics UK can advise on types of testing that can, and should have been, conducted in specific circumstances, and from a review of laboratory work conducted, whether this type of testing was indeed performed. An assessment of the validity of forensic conclusions based upon the methods of forensic serological / DNA testing that was indeed performed can be made. Paternity Defence Forensics UK are able to perform paternity testing as well as review results from other forensic prioviders. Our paternity testing service utilizes the latest technology and cutting edge operating procedures. Please contact us to to determine the specific procedures that are available in your specific case. Paternity result review can be conducted on polymarker (PM) test data, or from electropherogram (EPG) data in the modern short tandem repeat (STR) microsatellite testing method. Defence Forensics UK can analyse the type of test performed, procedures conducted and results obtained to ensure that they were thorough enough and correctly performed to ensure a level of confidence in paternity values suitable for courts of law. DNA With the advent of DNA testing in modern forensic laboratories, much more information can be obtained from sampled and tested body fluids than ever before. In both civil and criminal legal matters it is important that certain guidelines are followed to ensure that the results of DNA testing, that may be presented to a jury, had been performed in such a way that presents the facts of the evidence thoroughly, whilst at the same time not overstating its value. Defence Forensics UK offers full comprehensive and competent DNA testing services to the public, police and legal practitioners. We can conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and target specific areas of DNA that are of forensic importance. We can conduct standard DNA testing utilising accredited and accepted genetic loci, as well as Y-STR testing as required. Again, please contact us to determine which is the best way forward in your case, and to ensure that the best test is utilised. As we are at the very forefront of DNA testing and forensic biology service provision we are in a very suitable position to review reports from other forensic laboratories that have conducted forensic tests, to ensure that the reported results of those forensic DNA tests are commensurate with the test results actually obtained, and that any judgments that were made are indeed sound. In a particular legal matter, this may be simply ascertained by determining that the testing laboratory conducted its tests in compliance with guidelines from independent accrediting bodies, or from a more thorough determination of a particular laboratories Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure that testing employed was correctly followed, and fit for purpose. Interpretation of results obtained from forensic DNA tests are based upon guidelines set by the National DNA Database (NDNAD), but remain to a degree subjective, and will differ from laboratory to laboratory. In many cases this will require a review of the electropherogram (EPG) data from tests performed to ensure that the interpretation is based upon correct procedures and scientifically and forensically sound. This type of review can alter the statistical value that is created from the EPG results. With a wealth of knowledge of worldwide forensic testing procedures, processes and DNA determination criteria, Defence Forensics UK are able to re-evaluate data, results and reports from forensic laboratories and determine whether data was interpreted in accordance with current NDNAD guidelines and the forensic community. Statistical analyses are conducted with reference to a specific database set obtained from the population for a given region. From a review of laboratory statistical figures, Defence Forensics UK can ascertain whether data from DNA testing was analysed with the best data set available for the relevant region, that again may have implications for the statistical values produced from the DNA tests. |
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Defence Forensics UK London House
Hamilton Crescent
Hammersmith
W6 8FT |