Statistical aspects of interpreting DNA profiling in legal cases

Abstract

DNA profiling has become one of the most powerful forensic techniques that is used in criminal investigations to identify suspects. Moreover, scientific DNA evidence has become an important component in criminal trials. The interpretation of DNA evidence involves many statistical and probabilistic aspects, which have been the subject of fierce debates over past years. Many controversies are rooted in the differences between the so‐called Likelihood Ratio approach to evidence interpretation and other methods. However, though interesting for the statistician and probability theorist, these discussions are obstructive for legal proceedings. Fortunately, many issues have by now been settled, but the ever‐expanding possibilities keep on raising new discussion topics. This paper provides a brief overview of the statistical discussion, and addresses some of the most interesting issues in more detail.