Other sections of these materials highlight in more detail how improvements in sequencing DNA, storing DNA information, and interpreting those data are influencing the types of court cases that rely on DNA evidence. For example, there is growing interest in how improved DNA sequencing has led to the creation of large commercial databases of genetic information, and in how these databases can be used by law enforcement investigations. The use of commercial genetic databases raises legal questions of privacy, consent, and legal standing. Additionally, easy DNA sequencing has increased its use in medical testing and diagnoses. But interpreting DNA mutations and differences is complex, and there is limited regulation concerning test result communication; these challenges create the potential for more litigation involving liability and negligence.

The other sections describe how new DNA technologies are facilitating the collection of vast amounts of genetic information from individuals. This is a change from what has been the norm in forensic DNA analysis for the past several decades. Collecting more genetic data from individuals can reveal more information about them. Still, much of the collected information remains difficult to interpret.

Complementary background can also be found in the Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence.[1]