DNA Commission

The DNA Commission was brought to life in 1987 due to the rapid progress in the development of DNA polymorphisms, and has published its first recommendation in 1989 (Forensic Sci. Int. 43, 109-111). The role of the commission was described in the introduction of this first publication as follows: The DNA Commission is usually represented by the Executive Committee of the ISFG as well as number of experts, who are called into the commission depending on the subject of discussion. The commission has a chairman who is appointed by the Executive Committee, and who is responsible for chairing the meetings, and drafting the recommendations.

The DNA commission is chaired by

The recommendations of the DNA Commission have all been published in scientific journals.

Recently completed

The commission has developed a proposal for sequence-based STR nomenclature from massively parallel sequencing efforts, following a meeting of STRAND working group; see Gettings KB, Ballard D, Bodner M, Borsuk LA, King JL, Parson W, Phillips C. Report from the STRAND Working Group on the 2019 STR sequence nomenclature meeting. Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2019; 43:102165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2019.102165 Here are the recommendations on Short Tandem Repeat sequence nomenclature: Gettings KB., Bodner M., Borsuk LA., King JL., Ballard D., Parson W., Benschop CCG., Børsting C., Budowle B., Butler JM., Van D., Gill P., Gusmão L., Hares DR., Hoogenboom J., Irwin J., Prieto L., Schneider PM., Vennemann M., Phillips C. (2023), 'Recommendations of the DNA Commission of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) on Short Tandem Repeat sequence nomenclature', Forensic Science International: Genetics -, in press (Gettings et al. 2023)

Previously completed

Gill P., Hicks T., Butler JM., Connolly E., Gusmão L., Kokshoorn B., Morling N., Van O., Parson W., Prinz M., Schneider PM., Sijen T., Taylor D. (2020), 'DNA Commission of the International Society for Forensic Genetics: Assessing the value of forensic biological evidence - Guidelines highlighting the importance of propositions. Part II: Evaluation of biological traces considering activity level propositions.', Forensic Sci Int Genet 44, 102186 (Gill et al. 2020) There is considerable interest in statistical reporting of the ‘meaning’ of the DNA profile with respect to ‘how’, ‘why’ or ‘when’ did it become evidence. This question is particularly relevant to low level DNA where there is considerable ambiguity about the origin of the DNA sample and its association (if any) with a body fluid. Bayes nets are used as an example of how to report DNA profiles. The commission has examined the ‘state of the science’ to date and provide recommendations on a way forward, along with describing remaining challenges and the likely limitations that exist.

In progress

More information available soon OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE: In October 2009, the DNA Commission started an initiative to develop biostatistical freeware for mixture interpretation. Please visit our new software development site and participate in our projects! DNA phenotyping online resources: Please visit our new Forensic DNA Phenotyping page