Aims and objectives

ENFSI DNA working group aims and objectives are:

• To bring together organisations actively pursuing forensic DNA analysis methods for the purpose of exchanging and disseminating information on forensic applications;
  • to discuss, share and compare forensic DNA analytical methods, protocols and research;
  • to establish forensic DNA analysis quality assurance guidelines and quality controls for Europe;
  • to co-operate with other national and international organisations in developing European standards for forensic DNA analyses;
  • to serve as a mechanism for the review and revision of European guidelines for forensic DNA analyses;
  • to establish core DNA markers for national and international criminal or intelligence DNA profile databases in Europe;
  • to disseminate to the European forensic DNA community ENFSI guidelines, forensic research results, the provision of training and any other work of benefit.
• The ENFSI DNA working group provides a forum via its regular seminars/workshops for the validation, introduction and improvement of DNA analysis in casework. It considers all aspects of case analysis and reporting. Focusing on casework requirements, the group collaborates with regard to the reporting and interpretation of DNA evidence and in particular:
  • considers approaches to the court room presentation of evidence and makes recommendations;
  • develops and improves the interpretation of DNA analyses;
  • seeks to develop uniform standards which members can conform to and achieve; exchanges information and expertise;
  • promotes quality management systems and the development of professional standards;
  • collaborates with research activities and in particular to create pan-European population databases;
  • supports colleagues by providing education and training;
  • assesses the need for pan-European intelligence databases.
• The ENFSI DNA working group endeavours to enhance the development of DNA world-wide and influence others to use best practice in the application of DNA forensic testing.

Structure

The DNA working group comprises members from over fifty organisations and 35 European countries. As well as members and associate members, the working group has a Chairperson, Secretary and Steering committee. Meetings are held bi-annually at which, in addition to plenary sessions designed to update members and promote discussion around topics of interest, sub group workshops are run to allow more in depth focus on specific subjects. The subgroups cover areas such as DNA analysis and interpretation, quality assurance and quality control, databases, automation and expert systems and forensic biology.

Contact

You can contact DNA Working Group chairperson Ingo Bastisch, secretary Alex Lowe and web editor Tomasz Kupiec via our contact form. Please state clearly who your message is addressed to.