Welcome to the Fall 2007 issue of the DDC Link! Through this newsletter, we hope to offer valuable information about DNA forensic testing that may help you with your forensic cases.

This issue's feature article discusses the uses and benefits of Y-STR DNA testing. Including this article, the following are the contents for this issue:

• Why Y-STR DNA Testing?
• Featured Staff – Tonya Powell
• DDC’s Laboratory Accreditations

We welcome your feedback regarding our newsletter. If you have any questions or comments, please send us an email or give us a call using the contact information listed to the left.

We hope you enjoy this issue of the DDC Link!

Dr. Michael Baird
Laboratory Director

The Use and Significance of Y-STR Testing

While many legal professionals may be well acquainted with the conventional autosomal Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis that is typically associated with forensic cases involving DNA, some may be less familiar with the technique of Y-chromosome STR analysis (commonly referred to as Y-STR). One may ask, why should Y-STR testing be used instead of autosomal STR analysis? Using the Y-STR technique, scientists are often able to identify genetic information that may otherwise be difficult or impossible to detect, especially in sexual assaults and other cases that involve mixed male/female DNA samples.

To read more, click here
 

Tonya Powell is the Service Coordinator for the Forensics Department at DNA Diagnostics Center. She has been with DDC for over three years, working in both the Paternity and Client Services departments.

Tonya attended Florida State University and majored in criminology. She joined the Forensics Department in May where she assists all of our clients with their unique case situations.

As the Service Coordinator, Tonya serves as a liaison between our clients and our laboratory staff, working to understand the needs of our clients and clearly explaining to them how the various DDC Forensic service options may assist them. Some of her routine activities include setting up new cases for our clients as well as coordinating consultation times with our lab staff. Tonya also assists our clients by answering questions about their ongoing cases and is excellent at keeping our clients up to date on their case status. She is responsible for processing all forms and paperwork needed to keep each case active and completed in a quick and efficient time frame.

Tonya has been a significant addition to the Forensics Department at DDC. Her ability to meet the needs of our clients with accuracy and urgency makes her an asset to our team.