LYON, France –Traditionally, national and international DNA databases have been forced to rely on rigid rules, often discarding potentially valuable investigative leads when DNA profiles were incomplete or only partially matched.
Until now.
INTERPOL's DNA Unit, in collaboration with Smart Research BV, have developed a smarter way to review DNA matches.
Instead of applying a one-size-fits-all rule, traditionally based on at least six matching DNA markers, we have developed a new calculation method of Dynamic Likelihood Ratio thresholding. This new method allows the automated detection of promising DNA database matches based on as little as three markers.
This innovative approach, which opens up new investigative leads, enables real-time decision-making by taking into account how informative the DNA markers are, how rare the genetic profile is, and the size of the database being searched. The result is that previously "invisible" matches can now be identified, and cold cases gain new investigative leads - all while ensuring that false positives remain tightly controlled.
This scalable, transparent method has the potential to significantly enhance global DNA databasing, without increasing operational burden.
Cyril Gout, INTERPOL Director of Operational Support and Analysis, said:
“By sharing these open-access tools across National Central Bureaus, INTERPOL continues to support member countries in tackling complex investigations and advancing international police cooperation.”
More information is available in the full study, published in Genes, a peer-reviewed open access journal of genetics and genomics.