The field of forensic DNA analysis has an evolving landscape where emerging technologies combined with advanced DNA testing strategies provide answers where none existed previously. In a world where unprecedented situations, both natural and man-made, push our criminal justice system to new limits for identifying individuals, forensic DNA analysis strategies, particularly kinship analysis, play a critical role in resolving these complex cases.
Historically used in paternity testing and family relationship verification, kinship analysis remains underutilized in forensic casework. However, this advanced technique holds significant potential for addressing cases involving missing persons, unidentified human remains, sexual assaults, and other violent crimes. Despite its value, many crime laboratories lack trained analysts to conduct the analysis. In fact, a recent poll of Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program grantees highlighted the lack of available kinship analysis training resources as a detrimental gap for the crime laboratories to perform this service.
To address this critical gap, BJA’s Forensics Training and Technical (Forensics TTA) Program, led by RTI International, has developed a no-cost, web-based, self-paced kinship analysis training curriculum specific for DNA analysts with 3-5 years of experience. The curriculum is structured around four virtual, user-engaged modules that provide the foundation, theoretical, and statistical application of kinship analysis to empower DNA analysts to apply this advanced DNA profiling technique to identification and familial relationship cases.
This presentation will provide an overview of the training curriculum, highlighting its features, design, and purpose. Participants will be introduced to the application of this training as a tool for advanced DNA analysis and provided guidance for implementation, including accreditation requirements, continuing education credits, and competency and proficiency testing considerations. The training curriculum is designed to be a sustainable resource that crime laboratories may incorporate into their own analyst training programs, including those developing or expanding kinship analysis capabilities. The four modules provide a comprehensive instruction of the history and application of kinship analysis as well as detailed, user-engaged scenarios to foster a deep understanding of the case criteria where kinship analysis is most impactful. These scenarios are real-world examples that enhance the understanding of kinship analysis, incorporating statistical theory, guided manual calculation exercises, and the interpretation and reporting of conclusions. Designed with knowledge checks to address competency, a participant can move through the course with confidence only advancing through the topics after having successfully mastered the previous section.
Many state agencies are creating specialized investigative units to address cases associated with natural disasters, industrial or transportation incidents, larger acts of violence, and violent crimes including sexual assault. As a partner in these specialized units, the crime laboratory, through forensic kinship analysis, will be equipped to elucidate complex biological relationships that can lead to impactful identifications and case resolutions.
