Scientific Working Group on
DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM)
PUBLIC COMMENT PAGE
In accordance with the SWGDAM Bylaws (Section V.C.5), SWGDAM will make any new or revised guidance or standard document(s) available for public comment for a minimum of 30 days. Generally, SWGDAM attempts to review its guidance documents within 5 years of their issuance and is usually actively revising at least one of its guidance documents at any given time. SWGDAM strongly encourages the forensic DNA community or other interested group to comment on the SWGDAM documents currently in this stage of development. Upon receipt, these comments will be forwarded to the appropriate SWGDAM Committee for consideration and may be incorporated into the final document considered for approval by the SWGDAM Membership.
Alternately, SWGDAM may publish a response to a specific suggestion or recommendation on its FAQ Page for general information purposes. SWGDAM will make all reasonable efforts to advise the forensic DNA community of those documents currently available for public comment. SWGDAM strongly encourages all interested parties to regularly monitor SWGDAM.org for the guidance document(s) or standard document(s) currently available for public comment. Please use the contact portal below for providing comments on the SWGDAM document(s) available for public comment
The new SWGDAM Modified Rapid DNA Analysis Internal Validation Module for Forensic Samples is now available for public comment. Though Rapid DNA Systems were originally developed to be a fully automated process of developing a DNA STR profile from a reference sample buccal (cheek) swab without human intervention, enhancements have been made to enable the Rapid DNA instruments to be utilized for forensic samples. The 2025 Forensic QAS requires a laboratory to validate modified Rapid DNA analysis should a Rapid DNA instrument be utilized for forensic samples. The focus of this document is the validation of modified Rapid DNA analysis for forensic Rapid DNA cartridges/chips and does not address the use of fully automated Rapid DNA Systems for reference samples. Modified Rapid DNA analysis is the semi-automated (hands-free) process of developing a CODIS acceptable STR profile from a casework reference or forensic sample. The “swab in – profile out” process consists of automated extraction, amplification, separation, and detection of DNA STR profiles without human intervention but requires an analyst to perform manual interpretation and technical review.
SWGDAM Modified Rapid DNA Analysis Internal Validation Module for Forensic Samples
Please note that the new SWGDAM Modified Rapid DNA Analysis Internal Validation Module for Forensic Samples is intended to provide technology or methodology specific guidance. When published, this module will be a child document of the new parent document entitled SWGDAM Validation Guidelines for DNA Analysis Methods: Overview Document that contains general recommended elements for validation studies and that is being include here for reference purposes only. This new Overview document was previously made available for public comment and has completed the SWGDAM approval process but will be published together with several other foundational validation modules that are still under development.
SWGDAM Validation Guidelines for DNA Analysis Methods: Overview Document
Please use the R-DNA Validation Public Comment Form below for capturing comments and submit it using the File Upload function of the Comment/Suggestion Portal below. To submit the PG STR Public Comment Form, please mark the SWGDAM Document, Page#/Line#, Comment, and Suggested Revision/New Language fields as N/A, complete the Submitted By and Email fields, and upload the Excel sheet as an attachment into the File Upload field.
R-DNA Validation Public Comment Form
The new SWGDAM Modified Rapid DNA Analysis Internal Validation Module for Forensic Samples will be available for public comment through Friday, March 20, 2026.