Abstract: A method of simulating the effect of distortion on a representation of a marker, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method is useful for generating data for use in various processes concerned with fingerprints and particularly avoids the need to manually generate and collect such data. The method includes obtaining a plurality of representations from an individual, the representations being subject to different distortions relative to one another. A function, such as a thin plate spline function, is then used to describe the effects of the different distortions on the plurality of representations obtained. This generic model of the effects of distortion can then be used to generate distortions for a further representation from an individual, preferably another individual. The simulated distorted representations can be used in a variety of ways.

Abstract: A method of extracting data from a representation of an identifier, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of features, such as ridge ends or bifurcations, in the representation of an identifier, considering the positions of those features and generating a reference feature, such as a centre, from the positions of the plurality of features. The method then links one or more of the features to the reference feature and/or links one or more of the features to one or more of the other features in the plurality of features. From the result, the method extracts data including information on one or more of: one or more of the plurality of features; the reference feature; one or more of the links between a feature and the reference feature; one or more of the links between a feature and another feature.

Abstract: The method provides for the fitting of a different distribution to the tail of a distribution of continuous data, than that distribution fitting to the rest of the distribution. By fitting a distribution to this set of occurrences only, better distributions shapes are obtained for that part of a distribution which might otherwise be overly sensitive to individual or small numbers of occurrences. Over sensitivity can make such distributions unreliable in situations where their value is compared with the value of another distribution. A distribution which does not decline quickly to zero is preferred for the tail, for instance a heavy tailed distribution.

Abstract: A method of simulating the effect of distortion on a representation of a marker, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method is useful for generating data for use in various processes concerned with fingerprints and particularly avoids the need to manually generate and collect such data. The method includes obtaining a plurality of representations from an individual, the representations being subject to different distortions relative to one another. A function, such as a thin plate spline function, is then used to describe the effects of the different distortions on the plurality of representations obtained. This generic model of the effects of distortion can then be used to generate distortions for a further representation from an individual, preferably another individual. The simulated distorted representations can be used in a variety of ways.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for obtaining information about DNA analysis of samples of uncertain origin by establishing the likelihood that they arose in certain manners compared with other possible manners. In this way all of the analysis information is taken into account and likelihood ratios are provided to express the results. The invention is particularly useful in analysing small DNA samples or DNA samples where the contribution from one or more sources is small.

Abstract: The invention provides allelic ladder mixtures and individual alleles suitable for use in such mixtures. The allelic ladder mixtures give improved identification and distinguishing capabilities, particularly suitable in forensic investigations.

Abstract: Methods for comparing a first DNA profile with a second DNA profile are provided. The likelihood ratio for one hypothesis relative to another, as to the sources of the DNA, is conditioned on quantity of DNA in the test sample providing the first DNA profile and/or another sample providing the second DNA profile.

Abstract: A method for collecting an analyte species from a sample is provided, the method of collection potentially being supplemented to give a method of preparing a sample for analysis and/or a method of analysis. The method including providing part of a sample in a substrate, causing the sample to migrate to an interface between the substrate and a second substrate due to the action of an electrical potential difference, the electrophoretic velocity of the analyte species of the second substrate being balanced by or exceeded by the bulk flow velocity of the second substrate and the bulk flow velocity of the second substrate being in an opposing direction to the electrophoretic velocity of the analyte species in the second substrate. In this way substantial concentration of the analyte species at the interface is provided. Subsequently the species can be conveyed away from the interface for further preparation and/or analysis.

Abstract: A method of investigating a DNA sample is provided involving taking at least two sub-samples from the sample, amplifying the sub-samples, analyzing the sub-samples to obtain identity information and amount of that identity about one or more alleles indicated as present in the sub-samples in respect of 5 or more loci and establishing identity information deemed representative of the sample from the sub-samples, wherein identity information from a sub-sample about a particular identity is included in the identity information deemed representative of the sample when that particular identity is indicated as present by one or more of the sub-samples analyzed, the amount of that particular identity in the identity information deemed representative of the sample being a weighted combination based on the amount of that particular identity in the sub-samples. In this way useful profiles can be obtained more often than they are at present, with reduced costs and with reduced expertise and time requirements.

Abstract: A method of simulating the effect of distortion on a representation of a marker, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method is useful for generating data for use in various processes concerned with fingerprints and particularly avoids the need to manually generate and collect such data. The method includes obtaining a plurality of representations from an individual, the representations being subject to different distortions relative to one another. A function, such as a thin plate spline function, is then used to describe the effects of the different distortions on the plurality of representations obtained. This generic model of the effects of distortion can then be used to generate distortions for a further representation from an individual, preferably another individual. The simulated distorted representations can be used in a variety of ways.

Abstract: The invention provides allelic ladder mixtures and individual alleles suitable for use in such mixtures. The allelic ladder mixtures give improved identification and distinguishing capabilities, particularly suitable in forensic investigations.

Abstract: A method of investigation a sample is provided, the sample being a mixture of DNA arising from more than one source. The method includes analysing the sample to obtain a genotype for the DNA present in the sample and assigning a prior probability distribution to the genotype. The likelihood function is considered and a posterior probability distribution for the genotype is established. In this way a probabilistic assessment of the genotype of the major or minor contributor to the sample can be obtained. This is beneficial over prior methods which use a deterministic method, and so involve the use of rule based methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a marking system, markers and methods of use of such marking systems and markers which enable unique marking of articles and subsequent detection of that marking. In particular the invention provides a marking system, the marking system comprising a plurality of different DNA fragment types, each of the plurality of different DNA fragment types comprising a plurality of different length DNA fragments and a method in which a sample of the DNA fragment type is taken, amplified and analysed to determine the identity of the marker for an article.

Abstract: The invention provides allelic ladder mixtures and individual alleles suitable for use in such mixtures. The allelic ladder mixtures give improved identification and distinguishing capabilities, particularly suitable in forensic investigations.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for obtaining information about DNA analysis of samples of uncertain origin by establishing the likelihood that they arose in certain manners compared with other possible manners. In this way all of the analysis information is taken into account and likelihood ratios are provided to express the results. The invention is particularly useful in analysing small DNA samples or DNA samples where the contribution from one or more sources is small.

Abstract: A method of analysing DNA samples from mixed sources includes i) obtaining an observed result relating to a value set for a characteristic of the DNA; ii) randomly selecting a selected value set for that DNA characteristic and generating an expected result from that selected value set; iii) comparing the observed result and the expected result and quantifying the difference there between. The method also includes iv) considering the selected value set to be the optimal match; v) randomly selecting a different selected value set and generating another expected result from that selected value set; vi) comparing the observed result with the another expected result and quantifying the difference there between; vii) replacing the existing optimal value set with the different selected value set of step v) if a criteria is met. The method further includes viii) repeating steps v), vi) and vii) at least 10 times; ix) the last optimal match being taken to be the optimal match for the value set for the DNA.

Abstract: A method of investigation a sample is provided, the sample being a mixture of DNA arising from more than one source. The method includes analysing the sample to obtain a genotype for the DNA present in the sample and assigning a prior probability distribution to the genotype. The likelihood function is considered and a posterior probability distribution for the genotype is established. In this way a probabilistic assessment of the genotype of the major or minor contributor to the sample can be obtained. This is beneficial over prior methods which use a deterministic method, and so involve the use of rule based methods.

Abstract: A kit and method of investigating the location of a portable telecommunications device used in making a call, includes obtaining information on the position of the receiver involved in the call. A location is surveyed by visiting the location and establishing the receiver a portable telecommunications device would use from that location. The method also compares the receiver involved in the call with the receiver that would be used from the surveyed location.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample includes providing a first part of the sample and a second part of the sample. A first analysis is conducted on the first part of the sample and the results of the first analysis are considered. A second analysis is conducted on the second part of the sample, the second analysis being conducted according to a procedure using a value for each of one or more characteristics of the procedure. The consideration of the results of the first analysis is used to determine whether the value for one or more of the characteristics of the procedure is changed to a different value. The second analysis is started before the results of the first analysis are obtained.

Abstract: Methods for comparing a first DNA profile with a second DNA profile are provided. The likelihood ratio for one hypothesis relative to another, as to the sources of the DNA, is conditioned on quantity of DNA in the test sample providing the first DNA profile and/or another sample providing the second DNA profile.