In this CCLiveChat we had the enormous pleasure to feature our very own in-house DNA expert Sue Carney. Sue educated us on DNA, its possibilities, its limitations, and of course, about the correct interpretation of the results as it pertains to the case.
Sue Carney is an operational consultant forensic scientist and part time lecturer. Her area of expertise is the examination and interpretation of body fluid and DNA evidence. She has given expert testimony at Crown Court on numerous occasions and her areas of special interest include the investigation of sexual offences, Bayesian forensic interpretation and the application of quality standards in forensic science.
Sue’s areas of expertise include DNA profiling, encompassing DNA mixture interpretation and Low Template DNA profiling, and body fluid evidence interpretation including blood pattern analysis. She has extensive experience of complex criminal casework involving crimes against the person, including a variety of cold case investigations. Sue has presented expert testimony at Crown Court on many occasions. Her area of special interest is the forensic investigation of sexual offences.
Sue holds a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Genetics and Microbiology, University of Sheffield, 1994, and a Master of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Applied Molecular Biology, UMIST, 1997. She is a professional member of The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, a member of the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology Forensic DNA Expert Community and an expert volunteer for human rights charity, Reprieve.
We were joined by many who posed excellent questions. So many questions in fact, that I foresee some DNA guest blog posts coming up to cover those questions with more details than 140 Twitter characters allow.
Our next #cclivechat is scheduled for October 28, noon-1PM EST, and it will be a general cold case chat.
The verbatim thread is below!
See you at the next CCLiveChat!
| From User | Tweet | Time |
| Vidocq_CC | It is time for our cold case live chat and this week, we have Sue Carney with us, DCC's in-house DNA expert! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:00:01 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC Good afternoon Vidster! Glad to join you 🙂 #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:00:40 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | Sue has published guest blog posts on DCC about DNA and is my to-go-to expert for everything I need to know. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:00:51 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge Hi Sue! Great to have you here! Why don't we start with a short overview of what DNA can and cannot do. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:01:52 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC I have a new post in progress! Some interesting updates from the recent Forensic Sci Soc conference. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:01:58 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge Great, looking forward to reading that. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:02:33 +0000 |
| CaseSignal | #cclivechat Live Chat on DNA has begun. Follow along here >> http://t.co/y2jbff5f Refresh screen for most recent tweets | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:03:13 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @CaseSignal: #cclivechat Live Chat on DNA has begun. Follow along here >> http://t.co/y2jbff5f Refresh screen for most recent tweets | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:03:32 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC DNA can be a v powerful tool to identify an individual in forensic cases & a few other contexts. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:03:42 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge Does DNA have limitations? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:04:36 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC However, DNA evidence is rarely considered conclusive by forensic experts or the courts. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:04:40 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge Can you explain that? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:05:51 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC The most obvious advantage of DNA evidence, other that its discriminating power is that it requires v little material #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:06:06 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC Of Whilst a full matching DNA profile is very good evidence of identity, it is not conclusive. Others may also match #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:07:28 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC Although the chances of obtaining such a match by chance are very rare. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:08:33 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge How is it possible that others might match? Is DNA not unique for each individual? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:08:34 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | RT @LilacLounge: While a full matching DNA profile is very good evidence of identity it is not conclusive. Others may also match #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:09:59 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC We don't tend to talk about the 'uniqueness' of a DNA profile because we only look at a v small part of the total #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:10:51 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge So here we have a demystifying of CSI TV talk! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:11:52 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC However, someone's 'genome', i.e. their total DNA, is almost certainly unique to them, except for identical twins #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:11:54 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC Although it is now thought that even identical twins may have a few very small differences in their DNA #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:12:27 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | Hi @bluedog89! Long time no tweet! How are you? 🙂 #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:13:01 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | RT @LilacLounge: DNA evidence is rarely considered conclusive by forensic experts or the courts. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:13:28 +0000 |
| ADAMSMALLBONE | Is it possible to conclusively confirm a child's paternity by using the blood typing? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:13:34 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge @bluedog89 Glad you can join us! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:13:52 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @ADAMSMALLBONE Hi Adam! Great question. Sue? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:14:23 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | @LilacLounge Hello! Happy to be here. Fascinating info you're sharing with us. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:14:47 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | Hi @ADAMSMALLBONE! Rather than blood typing, we would be more likely to use DNA profiling to address questions relatedness... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:15:28 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE Blood typing, like DNA, could conclusively exclude an individual as a parent, but not conclusively prove... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:16:39 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge I assume you then look at the total DNA structure, right? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:17:11 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE However, DNA profiling tends to be more discriminating than blood typing, i.e. stronger evidence of parentage etc #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:17:53 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | @LilacLounge There was a US rape case involving suspect w/an identical twin. Defense raised doubts to identity. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:18:02 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC In fact no we don't! It would be far too impractical with the current technology to profile an entire genome #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:18:31 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC That's why we don't consider DNA evidence, in its current form as conclusive. But it's sometimes v strong evidence #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:19:19 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge Another CSI TV talk debunked! 2-0 for Sue! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:19:41 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC To give a better idea of scale: If a genome is described as a large library, the DNA we look at is approx 10 books #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:20:51 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge Are lawyers technically mistaken when they present DNA as evidence to show connection between victim-suspect? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:21:29 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @bluedog89 Interesting... Is there a link to that anywhere? Revelations re twins varying DNA are fairly recent. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:21:40 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge To give a better idea of scale: If a genome is described as a large library, DNA we look at is approx 10 books #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:22:13 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC No. They are correct to do so. Finding victims DNA on suspect's clothes for e.g. is v good evidence of contact... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:22:47 +0000 |
| Barnesy_ | @LilacLounge so DNA is used to provide more evidence, not to point the finger of blame? #cclivechat (sorry if this is a silly Q) | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:23:15 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @Evie_G_L has joined us but since her tweets are protected she doesn't show up here. I'll try to RT her. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:23:37 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC However, it's important that the evidence is presented correctly and interpretation conditions on the case circs #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:23:45 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Barnesy_ Not a silly question! There's a UK appeal court ruling that states no case should ever be tried on DNA evidence alone #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:24:33 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge: @Barnesy_ Theres a UK appeal court ruling that states no case should ever be tried on DNA evidence alone #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:25:25 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Barnesy_ DNA evidence should be used in context with other evidence. A DNA match alone can be meaningless without circumstances #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:26:17 +0000 |
| Barnesy_ | @LilacLounge okay that makes sense, thank you for clarifying #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:26:52 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge So DNA should confirm/support other evidence collected? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:27:35 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Barnesy_ The courts are most often interested in how DNA was deposited rather than who it matches. The how can be tricky! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:27:40 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge @Barnesy_ Courts most often interested in how DNA was deposited rather than who it matches. The how can b tricky #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:28:34 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Evie_G_L aske under what circumstances there'd be partial DNA... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:28:36 +0000 |
| ADAMSMALLBONE | @LilacLounge Do you often have to ship DNA evidence? If so, how would you store evidence to prevent contamination? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:29:51 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | RT @LilacLounge: DNA evidence should be used in context w/other evidence. A DNA match alone can be meaningless w/circumstances #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:30:19 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Evie_G_L There are many! Forensic samples are often dirty / exposed to weather & DNA can break down, so we only see a partial #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:30:32 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @ADAMSMALLBONE: Do you often have to ship DNA evidence? If so, how would you store evidence to prevent contamination? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:30:34 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Evie_G_L sometimes there is v little biological material in a sample e.g. small blood stain or trace of sperm... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:31:44 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | @LilacLounge How quickly does DNA break down? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:32:11 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE Yep, samples are often transferred. They are labelled, usually with barcodes, and there are multiple label checks #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:32:48 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @bluedog89: @LilacLounge How quickly does DNA break down? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:32:59 +0000 |
| legalaware | RT @Vidocq_CC: RT @bluedog89: @LilacLounge How quickly does DNA break down? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:33:16 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE & that's before they even set off to be transferred! The entire journey is documented so every sample's traceable #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:33:51 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | From Evie: Could a trail of DNA found at different places help to build a picture of what happened at crime scene? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:33:55 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC That depends on the conditions. Like any biological material, breakdown is quicker in warm damp conditions. However.. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:34:37 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC ...If DNA is stored dry (e.g. bloodstain on fabric) or frozen (e.g. intimate swab) it remains intact indefinitely #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:36:12 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge Depends on the conditions. Like any biological material, breakdown is quicker in warm damp conditions. However.. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:36:46 +0000 |
| ADAMSMALLBONE | @LilacLounge Blimey! How realistic is it for governments to store DNA samples of every civilian, in order to identify criminals? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:36:53 +0000 |
| msashton_writer | RT @LilacLounge: @Vidocq_CC That depends on the conditions. Like any biological material, breakdown is quicker in warm damp conditions. However.. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:36:55 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge: If DNA is stored dry (eg bloodstain on fabric) or frozen (e.g. intimate swab) it remains intact indefinitely #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:37:08 +0000 |
| msashton_writer | RT @LilacLounge: @Vidocq_CC ...If DNA is stored dry (e.g. bloodstain on fabric) or frozen (e.g. intimate swab) it remains intact indefinitely #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:37:14 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC Or at least, as long as we've checked so far. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:37:20 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @msashton_writer Thanks for the RT and welcome! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:37:35 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @legalaware Thanks for the RT and welcome! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:38:11 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE Well that's easy. For a database of profiles, you don't necessarily have to keep the samples, just the profiles.. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:38:12 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE and the profiles are merely a string of numbers. However, the UK DNA database does keep some of the samples too #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:39:00 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | #cclivechat w/@lilaclounge on everything DNA! Now till 1pm EST! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:39:37 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Evie_G_L as for a trail of DNA: Yes - possible. What about a blood trail? If you mean something less visible, could be tricky. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:40:00 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | @LilacLounge What type of criminals does the UK take samples from? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:40:15 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | Do I understand correctly that DNA cannot tell us WHEN materials were deposited? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:40:42 +0000 |
| msashton_writer | #cclivechat ~ My apologies for being late. Trying to catch up. Hello @LilacLounge @Vidocq_CC and to everyone I missed. | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:41:07 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @bluedog89: @LilacLounge What type of criminals does the UK take samples from? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:41:44 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @bluedog89 Currently, from anyone arrested for an offence, & all samples are retained, even acquittals... Hmmmm #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:41:53 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge: @bluedog89 Currently, from anyone arrested for an offence, & all samples are retained, even acquittals... Hmmmm #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:42:17 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @bluedog89 However, the Protection of Freedoms Bill is to be heard in parliament next week, so things may change... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:42:29 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @msashton_writer Hello! 🙂 #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:42:47 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge: @bluedog89 However, Protection of Freedoms Bill is to be heard in parliament next week, so things may change #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:43:16 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC The 'when' question is tricky too. There may be no way to say when DNA was deposited, but other case info may help... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:43:50 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | From Evie: I was thinking of circumstances such as when there is more than one person present, multiple suspects #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:43:57 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge Correct, but DNA on its own cannot tell us WHEN, correct? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:44:38 +0000 |
| msashton_writer | @LilacLounge ~ Mitochondrial DNA can only be linked through maternal lineage? Is that correct? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:44:54 +0000 |
| ADAMSMALLBONE | @LilacLounge When you have a DNA sample and compare it to those on a criminal database, how long would it take to find a match? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:45:13 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @msashton_writer: @LilacLounge ~ Mitochondrial DNA can only be linked through maternal lineage? Is that correct? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:45:17 +0000 |
| ADAMSMALLBONE | @LilacLounge Assuming there is a match on the database, of course #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:45:36 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC Much forensic evidence is time dependent. e.g persistence of body fluids in a rape case, so may also help with 'when' #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:45:43 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @HighlandLawyer If you use hashtag #cclivechat all the others in the chat can see your useful tweet as well! 🙂 | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:46:10 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @msashton_writer That's absolutely correct. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited down the maternal line. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:46:17 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE the database matching process can be done within minutes if urgent, but usually it's done overnight. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:47:12 +0000 |
| ADAMSMALLBONE | @LilacLounge So that bit is similar to some T.V. programmes then (for once)! How much of a forensic scientist's time is ... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:48:21 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE Inevitably, there is of course, a cost for an urgent database search...! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:48:27 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @msashton_writer Example of ID by Mitochondrial is Dauphin http://t.co/YybvmTGl #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:48:51 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | @LilacLounge In the US the wait seems longer... 🙁 #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:48:52 +0000 |
| ADAMSMALLBONE | @LilacLounge spent in a lab, in comparison to that at a crime scene? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:49:05 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE Yep. The database search is the quick part. The profiling itself is time consuming. Quickest is 5 or 6 hours #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:49:56 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE And the part in the lab - finding the stains to get the DNA can take days for some items! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:50:24 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge: Yep. The database search is the quick part. The profiling itself is time consuming. Quickest is 5-6 hours #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:50:50 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @bluedog89 There are a few developments of late in fast turnaround profiling systems, so things may change. They cost though! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:51:21 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge: @ADAMSMALLBONE And the part in the lab - finding the stains to get the DNA can take days for some items! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:51:21 +0000 |
| ADAMSMALLBONE | @LilacLounge Wow! Would you be able to talk us through the procedure for profiling, for example, bones? Is this even possible? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:52:20 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | @LilacLounge Do the US & UK share DNA profiles on international cases? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:52:21 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @bluedog89 Eventually, we should be able to do mini DNA profiling tests on computer chips - very fast #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:52:40 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge: @bluedog89 Eventually, we should be able to do mini DNA profiling tests on computer chips - very fast #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:53:05 +0000 |
| HighlandLawyer | @Vidocq_CC #cclivechat - Scottish DNA retention rules can be read at http://t.co/nHsvpNqY English rules have been held to breach ECHR. | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:53:15 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @bluedog89 Our systems are compatible. The US look at 13 DNA regions and we look at 10. Some of them are the same regions... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:53:27 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @HighlandLawyer: @Vidocq_CC #cclivechat - Scottish DNA retention rules can be read at http://t.co/nHsvpNqY English rules have been held to breach ECHR. | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:53:54 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @bluedog89 So in some instances, it is possible for countries to share & compare evidence. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:53:59 +0000 |
| msashton_writer | @Vidocq_CC ~ Wonderful. Thank you! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:54:45 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @HighlandLawyer That's a very interesting point. I think change in England is imminent. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:55:06 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @msashton_writer Very welcome, heart breaking case to read! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:55:49 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Evie_G_L raises a v interesting point re multiple suspects... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:56:12 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge: @Evie_G_L raises a v interesting point re multiple suspects... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:57:12 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Evie_G_L we are often troubled by mixtures of DNA. If a mixture is complex, it may not be possible to identify individuals #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:57:29 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Evie_G_L we are seeing many more mixtures like this, since DNA profiling has become a much more sensitive test... #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:58:26 +0000 |
| LadyJE | @Vidocq_CC @bluedog89 @lilaclounge #cclivechat I'm innocent, I tell you! Just ask @London_Law_Firm , he'll tell u I was w @Wwm_Shakespeare | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:58:56 +0000 |
| msashton_writer | @ColdCaseSquad @LilacLounge ~ Thank you. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:59:16 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Evie_G_L and this can cause problems in evidence. It means that often, we can't give a statistical value to the evidence. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:59:28 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LadyJE LOL, I still have the camera on, dear! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:59:30 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | @LilacLounge What constitutes a mixture? Multiple suspects? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:59:35 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | Any last minute questions for @lilaclounge? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:59:47 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | Any requests for topics @lilaclounge could cover in guest blog posts on DCC? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:00:26 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @bluedog89 Yep. We'd expect one or two components at each area of DNA we look at. If we're seeing more, then multiple persons #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:01:13 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @bluedog89 So essentially, a mixture or mixed profile is DNA from more than one person. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:01:46 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge: @bluedog89 Wed expect 1 or 2 components at each area of DNA we look at. If were seeing more, then multiple ppl #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:02:47 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | RT @LilacLounge: @bluedog89 So essentially, a mixture or mixed profile is DNA from more than one person. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:02:57 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Evie_G_L not always. It depends on other evidence too. Does the pattern of blood tell us how it was deposited, for e.g....? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:03:10 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Evie_G_L just asked: If 1 person murdered & another claims to have found body/none lost own blood, is DNA omitted from case? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:04:01 +0000 |
| LadyJE | “@Vidocq_CC: @LadyJE LOL, I still have the camera on, dear! #cclivechat” - O dear, I'm still in me bloody pjs! | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:04:05 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | Thank you so very much, Sue for a most educational chat about DNA! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:04:31 +0000 |
| ADAMSMALLBONE | Thank you, Sue! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:05:07 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC You're very welcome. That's the quickest hour I've ever spent! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:05:27 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | Next chat will be on October 28, noon-1pm EST, and it will be a general cold case chat. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:05:53 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @ADAMSMALLBONE Very welcome. Some good questions too. If you have others, fire away any time! 😉 #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:05:59 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge We do try to keep you busy and off the streets! 😀 #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:06:16 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge Or, maybe we can post the Qs and your answers in a post so everyone can read it? #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:06:52 +0000 |
| bluedog89 | @LilacLounge Thanks for sharing your knowledge of DNA w/us. 🙂 #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:07:10 +0000 |
| msashton_writer | RT @Vidocq_CC: Next chat will be on October 28, noon-1pm EST, and it will be a general cold case chat. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:07:26 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | Recap of this chat later on DCC! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:07:33 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC That's a great idea! I'd also be happy to answer questions more thoroughly via #DCC if anyone has any. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:08:02 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | Thanks everyone for a fabulous DNA chat! 🙂 #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:08:29 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | @LilacLounge I'd welcome more in-depth DNA discussions! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:08:51 +0000 |
| Vidocq_CC | Thanks all for joining this DNA chat! See you later! #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:09:05 +0000 |
| LilacLounge | @Vidocq_CC Great! 140 characters was a challenge for some of those answers. Catch you later 🙂 #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:09:45 +0000 |
| trabernlaw | @Vidocq_CC Very informative DNA segment. THX. #cclivechat | Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:09:55 +0000 |