Question

You are investigating a crime. The DNA profile database has no perfect matches to the DNA collected at the crime scene. However, one profile in the database has at least one band in common with the crime scene DNA at every STR site. Which statement is the most likely conclusion can you draw?

1) The DNA profile in the database is a match to the crime scene DNA.
2) The DNA profile in the database is not a match to the crime scene DNA.
3) The DNA profile in the database is inconclusive and requires further investigation.
4) The DNA profile in the database is unrelated to the crime scene DNA.

Answer 1

The DNA profile in the database is not a match to the crime scene DNA.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely conclusion that can be drawn is that the DNA profile in the database is not a match to the crime scene DNA. Although there are at least one band in common with the crime scene DNA at every STR site, it does not guarantee a perfect match. A perfect match would require the profiles to be identical at all STR sites.