Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Overview and history of DNA typing -- DNA biology review -- Sample collection, DNA extraction and DNA quantitation -- The polymerase chain reaction (DNA amplification) -- Commonly used short tandem repeat markers and commercial kits -- Biology of STRs : stutter products, non-template addition, microvariants, null alleles, and mutation rates -- Forensic issues : degraded DNA, PCR inhibition, contamination, mixed samples and low copy number -- Single nucleotide polymorphisms and other bi-allelic markers -- Y chromosome DNA testing -- Mitochondrial DNA analysis -- Non-human DNA testing and microbial forensics -- DNA separation methods : slab-gel and capillary electrophoresis -- DNA detection methods : fluorescent dyes and silver-staining -- Instrumentation for STR typing : ABI 310, ABI 3100, FMBIO systems -- STR genotyping issues -- Laboratory validation -- New technologies, automation, and expert systems -- Combined DNA index system (CODIS) and the use of DNA databases -- Basic genetic principles, statistics, and probability -- STR population database analyses -- Profile frequency estimates, likelihood ratios, and source attribution -- Approaches to statistical analysis of mixtures and degraded DNA -- Kinship and parentage testing -- Mass disaster DNA victim identification.