The emerging field of forensic epigenetics

DNA profiling characterises small sections of the genome referred to as Short Tandem Repeats. This DNA profile is robust and stable in that the DNA profile will not change over the lifetime of an individual and is in general the same DNA profile regardless of what body fluid is sampled (except in cases of rare chimerism). The value of DNA profiling is undeniably immense and with increasing sensitivity and specificity it is far and beyond the gold standard of forensic science. However, the amount of investment and research has advanced the field to the extent that significant capability gaps are existing elsewhere.