FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 1 

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM 

Title of research need: Best practices to minimize potential biases in the generation and 

interpretation of DNA profiles 

Describe

the need:

Identifying human factors that may contribute to potentially biased testing strategies, 

subjective interpretations or the misrepresentation of the relevance of DNA evidence 

in court is the first step towards designing measures to minimize adverse effects. This 

and resulting research aimed at best practices will enable laboratories to implement 

appropriate changes and be in a better position to consistently deliver objective 

testing, reports and unbiased testimony. 

Keyword(s): Human factors, DNA interpretation 

Submitting subcommittee(s): Human Biology Date Approved: 05/04/2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

Yes, as bias is certainly addressed in many standards, strategies exist to combat bias but research is still needed 

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

No 

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: 

1) Champod C. (2014) Research focused mainly on bias will paralyse forensic science. Science and 

Justice 54:107-109. 

2) Dror I (2013) Practical Solutions to Cognitive and Human Factor Challenges in Forensic Science. 

Forensic Science Policy & Management 4:105-113. 

3) Edmond G, Tangen JM, Searston RA, Dror I (2015) Contextual bias and cross-contamination in the 

forensic sciences: The corrosive implications for investigations, plea bargains, trials and appeals. 

Law, Probability and Risk 14:1-25. 

4) Dror I, Hampikian G (2011) Subjectivity and bias in forensic DNA mixture interpretation. Science 

and Justice 51:204-208. 

5) Kasin S, Dror I, Kukucka J (2013) The forensic confirmation bias: Problems, perspectives, and 

proposed solutions. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition 2:42-52. 

6) Nickerson RS (1998) Confirmation bias: a ubiquitous phenomenon in many guises. Review of 

General Psychology 2:175-220. 
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4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

No

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities? 

Cognitive factors like selective perception, adjustments to regular occurrences, and confirmation bias 

affect the interpretation of information in everyday life and the workplace in many ways. In forensic 

science the body of research addressing human factors is still limited and what would benefit the field 

is process design and best practices proven to minimize any adverse effects on objective decision 

making. For the area of forensic DNA analysis many of the results are unambiguous and yield stable 

and reproducible interpretations, but there is a category of results, specifically complex mixtures 

where the interpretation is influenced by human factors. Here expert systems or probabilistic 

genotyping may remove some of the analyst to analyst variability for mixture deconvolution and 

comparisons, but there still will be differences on which mixtures are deemed suitable for comparison 

and how different analysts perceive the limitations of the software used. Cognitive biases can also 

affect overall testing strategies and sample selection, and reporting or court testimony.

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)? 

Most of the current research on human factors and cognitive bias in forensic practitioners is focused on 

forensic pattern evidence interpretation. It would be helpful to get a more in depth analysis of risk 

factors in a forensic DNA laboratory and during DNA based court testimony. Any resulting suggestions 

on how to minimize adverse effects of known psychological and neurological influences will serve as 

the basis of appropriate standards and/or best practices for DNA laboratories.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system? 

Criminal justice system stakeholders rely on forensic laboratories to provide biology/DNA results on 

physical evidence in an unbiased fashion with reports designed to express the significance and the 

limitations of the data, so that all parties clearly understand the conclusions. A systematic study and a 

strategy for minimizing the effects of factors like selective perception, base rate regularities and 

confirmation bias on forensic DNA testing will support this goal. 

 
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8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): III

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge 

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge 

 

 No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III 

 Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV 

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an

informational resource to the community.