Kerri Allen joined Keith Borer Consultants in March 2022 with over 35 years of experience as a forensic biologist. Kerri has worked with the Forensic Science Service at their Huntingdon and London laboratories, before working as a forensic consultant for a private consultancy for 10 years. She has wide ranging expertise, including the identification of body fluids and the interpretation of DNA profiling results, the analysis of textile fibres, hairs and damage to clothing.

In this presentation, after explaining what DNA profiling is, Kerri outlines the contemporary status of available technology available for DNA profiling. She highlights the pros and cons of DNA profiling evidence, and explains what can be done in the absence of DNA evidence. She refers to helpful academic sources where applicable.

Key words/topics:

DNA profiling

Forensic biology

Biological material of interest

DNA17 Kits

Powerplex Y-23

DNA transfer mechanisms

Indirect DNA transfer

Y-STR profiling attributes

Advanced/specialist statistics

STRMix®

LiRa

False matches

Reporting practices

Absence of evidence

Evidence of absence

Sexual offences

Body fluid