Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

DNA as a Genetic Template

DNA as a Genetic Template

Two structural features of the DNA molecule provide a basis for the mechanisms of heredity: the four nucleotide bases and its double-stranded nature. The Watson-Crick model of double-helical DNA structure, proposed in 1952, drew heavily upon the X-ray crystallography work of researchers Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. Watson, Crick, and Wilkins jointly received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work in 1962. Franklin was, controversially, excluded from the prize for...

DNA as a Genetic Template

DNA as a Genetic Template

Two structural features of the DNA molecule provide a basis for the mechanisms of heredity: the four nucleotide bases and its double-stranded nature. The Watson-Crick model of double-helical DNA structure, proposed in 1952, drew heavily upon the X-ray crystallography work of researchers Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. Watson, Crick, and Wilkins jointly received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work in 1962. Franklin was, controversially, excluded from the prize for...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Correction: How convincing is a matching Y-chromosome profile?

PLoS genetics·2026

Same author

Recent Statistical Innovations in Human Genetics.

Annals of human genetics·2025

Same author

Reporting the value of biological findings given activity level propositions: A discussion of published recommendations.

Journal of forensic sciences·2025

Same author

A murder in Boston.

Journal of forensic sciences·2025

Same author

A murder in Austin Texas: A case report featuring evaluation given activity level propositions.

Journal of forensic sciences·2025

Same author

Interpreting DNA under fingernails given activity level propositions.

Journal of forensic sciences·2025

Same journal

Comparison of key diagnostics for probabilistic interpretation of STR mixture data generated with length-based and MPS methodologies.

Forensic science international. Genetics·2026

Same journal

Likelihood Ratios Given Activity-Level Propositions for DNA Transfer Evidence: Theoretical Foundations of the HaloGen Framework (Part I).

Forensic science international. Genetics·2026

Same journal

Likelihood Ratios Given Activity-Level Propositions for DNA Transfer Evidence: Practical Implementation and Simulation Studies Using the HaloGen Engine (Part II).

Forensic science international. Genetics·2026

Same journal

Forensic evaluation of 101 identity-informative SNPs in a Filipino population using massively parallel sequencing.

Forensic science international. Genetics·2026

Same journal

Reprocessing of hair roots using conventional forensic DNA analysis following RapidHIT® ID processing.

Forensic science international. Genetics·2026

Same journal

Analysis of low-input and degraded forensic DNA trace samples with NGS using the MiSeq FGx platform.

Forensic science international. Genetics·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Enhanced Genetic Analysis of Single Human Bioparticles Recovered by Simplified Micromanipulation from Forensic ‘Touch DNA’ Evidence

Enhanced Genetic Analysis of Single Human Bioparticles Recovered by Simplified Micromanipulation from Forensic ‘Touch DNA’ Evidence

Published on: March 9, 2015

Interpreting low template DNA profiles.

David J Balding¹, John Buckleton

¹Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Imperial College, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W21PG, UK. d.balding@imperial.ac.uk

Forensic Science International. Genetics

|December 2, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Interpreting low template DNA (LTDNA) profiles is challenging due to drop-out and drop-in events. A new framework using likelihood ratios (LRs) with drop-out and drop-in probabilities offers a fairer assessment of LTDNA evidence.

More Related Videos

Methods to Increase the Sensitivity of High Resolution Melting Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping in Malaria

Methods to Increase the Sensitivity of High Resolution Melting Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping in Malaria

Published on: November 10, 2015

gDNA Enrichment by a Transposase-based Technology for NGS Analysis of the Whole Sequence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and 9 Genes Involved in DNA Damage Repair

gDNA Enrichment by a Transposase-based Technology for NGS Analysis of the Whole Sequence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and 9 Genes Involved in DNA Damage Repair

Published on: October 6, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Enhanced Genetic Analysis of Single Human Bioparticles Recovered by Simplified Micromanipulation from Forensic ‘Touch DNA’ Evidence

Enhanced Genetic Analysis of Single Human Bioparticles Recovered by Simplified Micromanipulation from Forensic ‘Touch DNA’ Evidence

Published on: March 9, 2015

Methods to Increase the Sensitivity of High Resolution Melting Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping in Malaria

Methods to Increase the Sensitivity of High Resolution Melting Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping in Malaria

Published on: November 10, 2015

gDNA Enrichment by a Transposase-based Technology for NGS Analysis of the Whole Sequence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and 9 Genes Involved in DNA Damage Repair

gDNA Enrichment by a Transposase-based Technology for NGS Analysis of the Whole Sequence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and 9 Genes Involved in DNA Damage Repair

Published on: October 6, 2014

Area of Science:

Forensic Science
Genetics
Biochemistry

Background:

Low template DNA (LTDNA) analysis presents interpretation challenges.
Drop-out, drop-in, stutter, and masking can create profile discordances.
Current interpretation methods may be unfair to defendants.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a framework for interpreting LTDNA profiles.
To address challenges like drop-out, drop-in, and stutter.
To evaluate the fairness of current interpretation approaches.

Main Methods:

Development of a likelihood ratio (LR) framework.
Inclusion of drop-out and drop-in probabilities.
Modeling of homozygote drop-out and allele call uncertainty.

Main Results:

The proposed framework provides a more equitable assessment of LTDNA evidence.
Ignoring drop-in or using simplified interpretations can be unfair to defendants.
LR values are sensitive to assumed drop-out probabilities.

Conclusions:

A robust LR framework is crucial for accurate LTDNA interpretation.
Consideration of drop-in is essential, especially when drop-out is relied upon.
Current practices may require revision to ensure fairness in LTDNA casework.