DNA Evidence in Criminal Trials: A Defense Attorney's Primer

Authors

Richard A. Nakashima, Texas Tech University School of Law

Abstract

I. Introduction

II. Scientific Background

III. Forensic Analysis of DNA Samples

IV. Analysis of the Statistical Significance of the DNA Profile

V. Admissibility vs. Weight of Evidence

VI. Challenging the Admissibility of DNA Evidence under Frye

VII. Potential Problems with DNA Analysis ... A. False Negatives and False Positives ... B. Human Error ... C. Band Shifting ... D. Quality of the DNA Sample

VIII. How to Challenge the Weight of DNA Evidence ... A. False Positives and Laboratory Error Rates ... B. Check for Possible Band Shifting ... C. Attack the Statistical Analysis

IX. Recent Developments

X. Conclusion

Recommended Citation

Richard A. Nakashima, DNA Evidence in Criminal Trials: A Defense Attorney's Primer, 74 Neb. L. Rev. (1995)
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nlr/vol74/iss3/3