DNAmix 2021: Laboratory policies, procedures, and casework scenarios summary and dataset

Abstract

DNAmix 2021 is a large-scale study conducted to evaluate the extent of consistency and variation among forensic laboratories in the interpretation of DNA mixtures, and to assess the effects of various potential sources of variability. This study utilized a multi-phasic approach designed to collect information about participating laboratories, laboratory policies, and their standard operating procedures (SOPs). It also characterizes the degree of variation in assessments of suitability and number of contributors as well as in comparisons and statistical analyses of DNA mixture profiles. This paper specifically details the study design and the data collected in the first two phases of the study: the Policies & Procedures (P&P) Questionnaire and the Casework Scenarios Questionnaire (CSQ). We report on the variation in policies and SOPs for 86 forensic laboratories—including information about their DNA workflows, systems, and type of statistics reported. We also provide details regarding various case-scenario specific decisions and the nature of mixture casework for 83 forensic laboratories. The data discussed in this article provide insight into the state of the field for forensic DNA mixture interpretation policies and SOPs at the time of the study (2021–2022).

Keywords

• Forensic science
• DNA Mixtures
• Probabilistic genotyping
• Inter-laboratory variation
• Policies and procedures
• Casework scenarios