STRmix Releases Enhanced Kinship Capability in DBLR Software
Summary
The team behind STRmix™ – sophisticated forensic software used to resolve mixed DNA profiles previously regarded as too complex or degraded to interpret – is releasing significant enhancements to its DBLR™ investigative application. Used in conjunction with STRmix™ to calculate millions of likelihood ratios (LRs) in seconds, the new version of DBLR™ (which stands for database likelihood ratios) will feature: • Improved modelling through the introduction of linkage, mutation, and FST to the Kinship module; and • The ability to assign LRs within the Kinship module for single source profiles containing both STR and SNP loci generated using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology. We have also found it to be extremely effective in generating intelligence for cold cases when looking at profiles that span multiple items and may contain related or common DNA donors.” Dr. Taylor developed STRmix™ along with Dr. John Buckleton, DSc, FRSNZ, and Dr. Jo-Anne Bright, both of the New Zealand Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). The effectiveness of these solutions, coupled with the highly successful track record STRmix™ has established in producing usable, interpretable, and legally admissible DNA evidence in more than 300,000 criminal cases, has led to their widespread adoption in forensic labs worldwide. Internationally, nine state and territory forensic laboratories in Australia and New Zealand, and 14 labs in other countries including the U.K., Ireland, Canada, Finland, Switzerland, and Denmark now use STRmix™.