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SWGDAM Mission Statement

The Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods, known as SWGDAM, serves as a forum to discuss, share, and evaluate forensic biology methods, protocols, training, and research to enhance forensic biology services as well as provide recommendations to the FBI Director on quality assurance standards for forensic DNA analysis.

About SWGDAM

SWGDAM is currently comprised of dedicated forensic scientists, from international, federal, state and local forensic DNA laboratories as well as guests representing academia and other Federal agencies. These forensic scientists serve as the DNA technical leaders or Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Administrators for their laboratories, and are able to offer the perspectives of practitioners in the areas of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA technologies. SWGDAM is also fortunate to have invited guests attend each meeting representing academia, other Federal laboratories and international agencies to provide their specific expertise in areas such as mitochondrial DNA, population genetics, statistics, and YSTRs.

The responsibilities of SWGDAM are: (1) to recommend revisions, as necessary, to the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories and the Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratories; (2) to serve as a forum to discuss, share, and evaluate forensic biology methods, protocols, training, and research to enhance forensic biology services; and (3) to recommend and conduct research to develop and/or validate forensic biology methods. We hold semi-annual meetings in January and July and our Committees meet more frequently as issues arise.

Updates

Revised mtDNA Guideline Documents Published!!! The revised SWGDAM Interpretation Guidelines for Mitochondrial DNA Analysis by Forensic DNA Laboratories and new SWGDAM Supplemental Information for the SWGDAM Interpretation Guidelines for Mitochondrial DNA Analysis by Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories FAQ document are now available on the Publication Page.

New SWGDAM Resource Material!!! SWGDAM has published a new SWGDAM Resource Document: Forensic DNA Analysis – Team Approach that explains the use of the team approach in the forensic DNA analysis process; the highly standardized and monitored nature of its usage through a system of annual audits, external audits, assessments, and accreditation; and, based on survey results, its prevalence in forensic DNA laboratories in the United States to foster consistency, achieve efficiencies, and to ensure quality work, please click here Publication Page.