Forensic DNA analysis has played a crucial role in the investigation and resolution of thousands of violent crimes since the late 1980s. Currently, short tandem repeats (STRs) are the most widely used markers for forensic DNA testing. Because of their high discriminatory power, good resolution of alleles, and the ability to rapidly process samples using multiplexed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 13 STRs have been chosen as the core loci upon which the FBI's National DNA Index System (NDIS) has been built. In recent years, other genetic polymorphisms, such as those found in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome and the Y chromosome, have been shown to provide effective results that can augment traditional STR data.
The demand for tools and technologies in all areas of forensic science, including DNA testing, far exceed the current capabilities of the field. To help meet that demand, the National Institute of Justice has funded forensic DNA research and development projects for over a decade.
Select a research area on the left under the heading Research to learn more.
