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FORENSIC DNAEXAMINATIONCandidate Study GuideAmerican Board of CriminalisticsUpdated May 2021Document: 08-2001S v1.0Issued by: Examination CommitteeUncontrolled When PrintedIssue Date: 06/29/2021Page 1 of 15

American Board of CriminalisticsForensic DNA ExaminationCandidate Study GuideTable of ContentsIntroduction . .3Examination Outline . 4Science and Math . 5Process (DNA) . 6Computer . 6Quality Assurance/Quality Control . 7Laboratory . 7Communication . 8Legal . 8Forensic Disciplines . 8References . 9Example Questions . 11Example Questions Key. 15Document:08-2001S v1.0Issued by: Examination CommitteeUncontrolled When PrintedIssue Date: 06/29/2021Page 2 of 15

American Board of CriminalisticsForensic DNA ExaminationCandidate Study GuideIntroductionCongratulations on your decision to pursue certification!This examination was created through the Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) process. Using a panel ofSubject Matter Experts (SME), a job analysis was completed to define the profession of ForensicBiology. As a result of this job analysis, two separate job classifications were generated – BiologicalEvidence Screener and Forensic DNA Analyst. The Forensic DNA Analyst Job Description (08-1001S) wascreated and lists the duties and associated tasks for that position. The SME was comprised ofpractitioners from a variety of types of laboratories (e.g., city/county, state, federal, etc.) across thecountry. The tasks and duties in the job description may include ones that are not performedspecifically by your Forensic Science Service Provider but are part of the larger role of a Forensic DNAAnalyst.The tasks listed in the job description were aligned to Knowledge-Skill (K-S) categories, and thesecategories were grouped into larger Domains (e.g., Science and Math, Quality Assurance/QualityControl, etc.) to create the Forensic DNA Examination Blueprint. This blueprint was subsequently usedto determine the number of questions in each of the larger domains.The examination is structured around the knowledge and skills needed to perform tasks and duties ofthe job. The study guide was developed using the job description and the examination blueprint. All K-Scategories are represented in the examination. Refer to the Forensic DNA Examination Blueprint for adetailed breakdown of the Knowledge/Skills and Tasks used to create this examination.References listed in this Study Guide were used to write examination questions; however, not allquestions were written using these references.For more information on the development of this examination, please refer to additional examinationdevelopment documents on the ABC website.Document:08-2001S v1.0Issued by: Examination CommitteeUncontrolled When PrintedIssue Date: 06/29/2021Page 3 of 15

American Board of CriminalisticsForensic DNA ExaminationCandidate Study GuideExamination OutlineDomainKnowledge-Skill% of ExamScience and Math42%Biology (e.g., molecular, cellular)ChemistryGeneticsPopulation GeneticsStatisticsMathProcess (DNA)19%Organizational (e.g., time management, multi-tasking)Critical thinking (e.g., analytical, decision making, problemsolving)Scientific methodComputer12%ComputerLIMSCODISQuality Assurance/Quality Control9%ISO 17025 / ANABQASSWGDAMLaboratory8%Good laboratory practice (e.g., safety, PPE)Laboratory skills (e.g., pipetting, robotics)Communication5%Communication (e.g., oral, written, presentation, listening,interpersonal)Legal3%Legal systemForensic Disciplines2%Other forensic disciplinesDocument:08-2001S v1.0Issued by: Examination CommitteeUncontrolled When PrintedIssue Date: 06/29/2021Page 4 of 15

American Board of CriminalisticsForensic DNA ExaminationCandidate Study GuideScience and MathThe Science and Math domain makes up 42% of the examination. The knowledge and skills needed tosucceed in this domain are: Scientific concepts in the field of biologyo Biochemistryo Cell structureo DNA (e.g., nuclear, mitochondrial, Y-chromosome)o Geneticso Molecular biology Cell and DNA morphology, process, and structureScientific concepts in the field of chemistryo Scientific unitso Scientific nomenclatureo Basic definitions of scientific concepts (e.g., chemicals, molecules, solutions, etc.)Scientific concepts in the field of geneticso Inheritanceo Gene mutationo Kinship analysisScientific concepts in the field of population geneticso Hardy-Weinberg equilibriumo Allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencyo Mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, migration/gene flowMathematical concepts and their application to the fields of biology and chemistryo Dilutionso Basic calculations and SI unit conversionsStatistical definitions and conceptso Mean, median, mode, etc.o Confidence interval, standard deviation, and variabilityo Bayesian theoryo Random match probability, CPI/CPE, likelihood ratio, and probabilistic genotypingo Binary, semi-continuous, and fully continuous methodso Kinship analysisDocument:08-2001S v1.0Issued by: Examination CommitteeUncontrolled When PrintedIssue Date: 06/29/2021Page 5 of 15

American Board of CriminalisticsForensic DNA ExaminationCandidate Study GuideProcess (DNA)The Process (DNA) domain makes up 19% of the examination. The knowledge and skills needed tosucceed in this domain are: Organizationalo Testing planso Technical and administrative reviewso Recommendations, guidelines, and best practices from national and internationalorganizations (e.g., ANAB, ASB, ASTM, FBI, NIJ, NIST, OSAC, SWGDAM, etc.)Critical thinkingo Sample collection for forensic DNA analysiso DNA analysis procedures (e. g., extraction, quantitation, amplification, typing, andinterpretation)o Mixture deconvolutiono CODIS searchingScientific methodo Types of evidence and methods of transfero Handling and storage of evidenceo Analysis of evidence, including order of analysis for evidence with multiple disciplinesrequestedo Sample collection from evidence, especially for downstream processingo Adequate note takingo Interpretation of resultso Report writingComputerThe Computer domain makes up 12% of the examination. The knowledge and skills needed to succeedin this domain are: Use of computer software in forensic scienceo Documentation and analysis of evidenceo Proficiency testingo Draft and final reportso Court testimonyUse of LIMS in forensic DNA analysiso Maintaining chain of custodyo Inventory, documentation, and analysis of evidence, samples, etc.o SecurityCODISo Data eligibility and suitability requirementso Searching and NDIS operational proceduresDocument:08-2001S v1.0Issued by: Examination CommitteeUncontrolled When PrintedIssue Date: 06/29/2021Page 6 of 15

American Board of CriminalisticsForensic DNA ExaminationCandidate Study GuideQuality Assurance/Quality ControlThe Quality Assurance/Quality Control domain makes up 9% of the examination. The knowledge andskills needed to succeed in this domain are: Quality assurance and quality control in the crime laboratoryo Validation and verificationo Different types of controls, performance checkso Training programso Note takingo Report writingo Technical and administrative reviewso Proficiency testingo Expert testimonyISO Accreditationo ISO/IEC 17025 and AR 3125 standards and accreditation requirementso Accreditation processo Guiding Principles of Professional ResponsibilityQuality Assurance Standards (QAS)o FBI Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratorieso FBI Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Testing Laboratorieso The Guidance Document for the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNATesting and DNA Databasing LaboratoriesScientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM)o Recommendations, guidelines, and best practicesLaboratoryThe Laboratory domain makes up 8% of the examination. The knowledge and skills needed to succeedin this domain are: Basic concepts in good laboratory practiceo Communication of laboratory safety procedureso Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the laboratoryBasic laboratory skillso Proper use of laboratory glassware, pipettes, and other measuring deviceso Contamination prevention procedureso Purpose and basic theory of equipment commonly used for forensic DNA analysiso Sample collection from evidence through DNA sample processingDocument:08-2001S v1.0Issued by: Examination CommitteeUncontrolled When PrintedIssue Date: 06/29/2021Page 7 of 15

American Board of CriminalisticsForensic DNA ExaminationCandidate Study GuideCommunicationThe Communication domain makes up 5% of the examination. The knowledge and skills needed tosucceed in this domain are: Ways to effectively communicate in forensic scienceo Technical and administrative documentationo Adequate note takingo Writing and reviewing reportso Courtroom testimonyo Communication between the laboratory and the customerLegalThe Legal domain makes up 3% of the examination. The knowledge and skills needed to succeed in thisdomain are: Case file documentation for legal proceedings (e.g., administrative, technical, supporting, etc.)Knowledge of proper expert testimonyBasic understanding of the Federal rules of evidenceUnderstanding the difference between Daubert and FryeBasic understanding of different types of warrants, subpoenas, etc.Court cases important to the field of forensic evidenceForensic DisciplinesThe Forensic Disciplines domain makes up 2% of the examination. The knowledge and skills needed tosucceed in this domain are: Basic knowledge of different types of forensic evidenceBasic knowledge of common forensic analyses performed on different types of evidenceCollection of samples from evidencePreservation of evidence for testing in other disciplinesCoordination of testing with other disciplinesDocument:08-2001S v1.0Issued by: Examination CommitteeUncontrolled When PrintedIssue Date: 06/29/2021Page 8 of 15

American Board of CriminalisticsForensic DNA ExaminationCandidate Study GuideReferencesGeneral College Textbooks (or similar)EditionAuthor Molecular Biology of the CellCampbell BiologyGenetics from Genes to GenomesLehninger Principles of Biochemistry6th11th5th7th General Chemistry Principles andModern Applications7thAlberts, Bruce, et al.Campbell, Neil A.Hartwell, Leland H., et al.Nelson, David L. andCox, Michael M.Petrucci, Ralph H. andHarwood, William S.Forensic DNA Typing - Butler SeriesEditionAuthor Forensic DNA Typing2ndButler, John M. Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing3rdButler, John M. Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing:Methodology Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing:Interpretation3rdButler, John M.3rdButler, John M.Other Forensic Science BooksEditionAuthor Forensic Chemistry Forensic DNA Evidence Interpretation2ndBell, Suzanne2ndBuckleton, J., Bright, J.,and Taylor. D. Forensic Practitioner’s Guide to theInterpretation of Complex DNA Profiles Fundamentals of Forensic Science1stGill, Peter, et al.2nd or later Houck, M. and Siegel, J. Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science 7th or later Saferstein, R. Forensic Science Handbook, Volume I2ndSaferstein, R. Forensic Science Handbook, Volume II2ndSaferstein, R.Guidance/Standards DocumentsEditionAuthor Rules of Professional ConductABC ISO/IEC 17025: General Requirements for theCompetence of Testing and CalibrationLaboratoriesDocument:08-2001S v1.02017Issued by: Examination CommitteeUncontrolled When PrintedISO/IECIssue Date: 06/29/2021Page 9 of 15