Questions answered in this file

Does a one-in-a-million match probability mean a one-in-a-million chance of innocence?

No. That is the prosecutor's fallacy; the statistic describes profile rarity, not the probability of guilt or innocence.

What is a likelihood ratio?

A comparison of how probable the evidence is under two stated propositions, showing which explanation the evidence supports more strongly.

Why are DNA mixtures harder to interpret?

Several contributors and small amounts of DNA create ambiguity, so results can vary by method and some are reported as inconclusive.

Do relatives affect DNA statistics?

Yes. Relatives are more likely to share DNA, and standard statistics for unrelated people may not apply to them.

Does a DNA match show when DNA was left?

No. It does not show when, how or why DNA was deposited, which must be assessed using other evidence.