Georgina Meakin

Forensic science not only provides evidence to support criminal investigations, but also contributes to knowledge surrounding criminal phenomena. Forensic scientists are in the unique position to strategically combine information gained from traces to create intelligence that can assist the security space in keeping our communities safe. Research into the use of traces for more than just criminal investigations, with a focus on the greater “utility” of a trace, has pointed to the broader problem‐solving potential of traces when more fully exploited. Alongside this, there has continued to be an exponential increase of the use of biological traces for criminal investigations, in particular the collection of trace DNA specimens. The potential for identification, among other information, trace DNA can provide is vast, however much of the previous research has predominately focused on recovery rates which does not provide a holistic view of the value of trace DNA. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on the utility of trace DNA, as well as makes suggestions toward the creation of a decision‐making model that can inform scene of crime officers in regards to trace selection and decisions about trace analysis. This article is categorized under: Forensic Biology > DNA Databases and Biometrics Crime Scene Investigation > From Traces to Intelligence and Evidence