Table 4.

Terminology for indirect matches (associations).

Candidate or investigative lead: an indirect association that has been evaluated and has passed predetermined statistical or other criterion that could indicate that two or more cases were committed by biologically related individuals. This individual did not commit the crime but may be biologically related to the individual depositing the forensic sample in question.

Direct match, hit or association: the DNA from one profile entirely matches that of another DNA profile, with no differences. DNA profiles that are the same originated from the same source, or an identical twin with a very high level of confidence.

Expanded DNA Indirect Matching or Indirect Associations: use of an expanded DNA profile beyond the aDNA CODIS core loci, including but not limited to Y-STR profiles, mtDNA profiles, X Chromosome, and SNP profiles as used in IGG; coupled with kinship analysis, to develop investigative leads through identification of biologically related individuals.

Indirect match, hit, or association: the use of the characteristic of DNA that biologically related individuals share DNA in known patterns according to the level of their relatedness. These known patterns of transmission can be used to locate relatives through similarities shared between their profiles via a database search or direct comparison.

Search key: a component of a DNA profile that is shared among relatives which can be used to locate and evaluate cases and suspects which do not directly match to determine if they potentially involve biologically related individuals. Search keys include but are not limited to Y-STR profiles, mtDNA profiles, X Chromosome and SNP profiles as used in IGG.