Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Methodology

DESCRIPTION

Intended as a companion to the Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing volume published in 2009, Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Methodology contains 18 chapters with 4 appendices providing up-to-date coverage of essential topics in this important field and citation to more than 2800 articles and internet resources. The book builds upon the previous two editions of John Butler’s internationally acclaimed Forensic DNA Typing textbook with forensic DNA analysts as its primary audience. This book provides the most detailed information written to-date on DNA databases, low-level DNA, validation, and numerous other topics including a new chapter on legal aspects of DNA testing to prepare scientists for expert witness testimony. Over half of the content is new compared to previous editions. A forthcoming companion volume will cover interpretation issues.

KEY FEATURES

• Contains the latest information - hot-topics and new technologies
• Well edited, attractively laid out, and makes productive use of its four-color format
• Author John Butler is ranked as the number one ''high-impact author in legal medicine and forensic science, 2001 to 2011'' by ScienceWatch.com

READERSHIP

Researchers and practitioners in forensic DNA analysis, forensic scientists, population geneticists, military and private and public forensic laboratories (for identifying individuals through remains), and students of forensic science. Law enforcement, legal professionals, government/legal policy makers.

REVIEWS

"John Butler has produced a series of books detailing the major issues involved in forensic DNA typing. His latest book on advanced topics in DNA typing provides exceptional coverage of this complex and difficult topic. Through his work at NIST and his many collaborations with forensic analysts, Dr. Butler has kept up to date with all recent advances in the field. In his book he brings remarkable clarity through examples, diagrams, and case notes that is unsurpassed in any other text on the subject."
-- Bruce McCord, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Sample Collection, Storage, and Characterization
2. DNA Extraction Methods
3. DNA Quantitation
4. PCR Amplification: Capabilities and Cautions
5. Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Loci and Kits
6. Capillary Electrophoresis: Principles and Instrumentation
7. Quality Assurance and Validation
8. DNA Databases: Uses and Issues
9. Missing Persons and Disaster Victim Identification Efforts
10. Degraded DNA
11. Low-Level DNA Testing: Issues, Concerns, and Solutions
12. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Applications
13. Y-Chromosome DNA Testing
14. Mitochondrial DNA Analysis
15. X-Chromosome Analysis
16. Non-Human DNA
17. New Technologies and Automation
18. Legal Aspects of DNA Testing and the Scientific Expert in Court

• Appendix 1 Reported Sizes and Sequences of STR Alleles
• Appendix 2 Familial DNA Searches: Potential, Pitfalls, and Privacy Concerns
• Appendix 3 List of Suppliers for DNA Instruments, Reagents, Services
• Appendix 4 Interviews Supporting Legal Aspects of DNA Testing

AUTHOR

By John M. Butler, Ph.D. (Analytical Chemistry), University of Virginia, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA