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DNA Evidence Checklist

November 1, 2006
  • Question 1: Was the blue hooded sweatshirt found by the police probably the one worn by the bank robber?
    • Yes
    • No → then the FBI’s DNA analysis of the hair will not assist you in identifying the robber.
  • Question 2: Did the FBI correctly identify the mtDNA sequences of the suspect (sweatshirt hood) and known (defendant’s) samples of hair?
    • Yes
    • No → If you checked no, then the results of the FBI’s analysis of the hairs’ mtDNA will not assist you in identifying the robber.
  • Question 3: Did the FBI correctly conclude that the mtDNA sequences of the two hair samples matched?
    • Yes
    • No → If you checked no, then the results of the FBI’s analysis of the hairs’ mtDNA will not assist you in identifying the robber.
  • Question 4A. Did the FBI correctly calculate how often the hairs’ mtDNA sequence is likely to occur in the Caucasian population?
    • Yes → Question 5A: What percent of the Caucasian population can be excluded as possible contributors of the mtDNA found on the sweatshirt hairs?
    • No → Question 4B: Did the defendant's expert correctly calculate how often the hairs' mtDNA sequence is likely to occur in the Caucasion population?
      • Yes → Question 5B. What percent of the Caucasian population can be excluded as possible contributors of the mtDNA found on the sweatshirt hairs?
      • No → If you checked no, then neither expert's testimony will assist you in identifying the robber.
  • Question 6. How many Caucasian males in the Middletown area could have contributed the hairs found in the sweatshirt hood? (Check one.)
    • 6 males (prosecution expert estimate)
    • 57 males (defense expert estimate)
    • Other number (Text box, fill in your estimate.)
  • Question 7. How likely is it that the defendant was the source of the hairs found in the sweatshirt hood? (Check one.)
    • Extremely likely
    • Somewhat likely
    • Don’t know
    • Somewhat unlikely
    • Extremely unlikely

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Date Published: November 1, 2006