Forensics Program - Forensic Boilogy - Collaborative Testing Services, Inc. - Providing Worldwide Interlaboratory Testing Since 1971.

(see below for current reports and datasheets)

CTS offers two series of tests in the discipline of Forensic Biology. Each series offers 6 tests; each test is issued once per year and allows nine weeks (shipment to Data Due Date) for examination. All samples consist of dried body fluid stains as described below.

Forensic Biology Series 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576:

The Forensic Biology Series will contain two known bloodstains and two suspected dried body fluid stains. Participants may report results for screening tests and STR/YSTR/mtDNA analyses. Please see the section below for information regarding the suggested enrollment pairings to meet DAB test frequency requirements. For each of the suggested test pairings one of the questioned stains will contain a semen sample that can be used for differential testing.

The DNA Sample Specific Series will contain two known bloodstains and two questioned stains that are pre-screened as indicated in the list below. Since the questioned stains will be described by type on the data sheet, no screening data will be collected for this testing series. Please note the tests listed immediately below are listed by the type of questioned stains provided and not by the suggested test pairings to meet DAB requirements. Please refer to the section titled DNA Advisory Board Test Frequency for the suggested pairings.

Mixture Specific Testing: 581, 586
At least one of the questioned samples will contain a mixture of body fluids and at least one will contain semen.
Semen Specific Testing: 582, 584
At least one of the questioned samples will contain semen.
Blood Specific Testing: 583, 585
The questioned samples will contain only blood with no mixtures.

Additional information is listed below and included in the Forensic Biology Supplement available through the highlighted link.
January 2007 Forensic Biology Test Supplement

The current DAB frequency requirements, issued July 2004, state that “one test must be performed in the first six months of the calendar year and the second in the last six months of the calendar year. The interval between consecutive tests must be at least four months and not to exceed eight months.” CTS structures its forensic biology offerings to assist laboratories in meeting the DAB frequency requirements. Suggested pairings to meet this frequency requirement follow.

Forensic Biology Series Pairings:
571 & 574
572 & 575
573 & 576

DNA Sample Specific Series Pairings:

581 & 584 (Mixture specific & Semen specific)
582 & 585 (Semen specific & Blood specific)
583 & 586 (Blood specific & Mixture specific)

Pairings from Both Series: The two series are scheduled so that participants can choose tests from either test series to meet DAB test frequency requirements; for example, test 573 or 583 and 576 or 586. Please refer to the listing of available analysis types to determine if these alternate pairings will meet your laboratory needs.

571 and 581: Samples ship first week of January; Data is due first week of March.
572 and 582: Samples ship first week of March; Data is due first week of May.
573 and 583: Samples ship third week of April; Data is due third week of June.
574 and 584: Samples ship first week of July; Data is due first week of September.
575 and 585: Samples ship first week of September; Data is due first week of November.
576 and 586: Samples ship third week of October, Data is due third week of December.

Please note that in order to keep the 573 and 583 tests in the first half of the year and the 576 and 586 tests in the second half of the year; the ship date and due date are during the third week of the respective month.