Guidance

Allele frequency databases and reporting for DNA profiling (FSR-GUI-0012)

The regulator’s DNA specialist group has produced allele frequency databases and reporting guidance for DNA profiling.

• From: Forensic Science Regulator
• Published: 17 September 2014
• Last updated: 13 February 2026 — See all updates

Documents

Allele frequency databases and reporting guidance for the DNA (short tandem repeat) profiling

Ref: FSR-GUI-0012

PDF, 496 KB, 29 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This document gives practical advice to professionals on how to use population databases that show how common certain DNA characteristics (alleles) are. It explains how these databases should be used when analysing autosomal DNA (short tandem repeat) results in forensic cases and how to clearly report the strength of the evidence that comes from them.

This document replaces the previously published FSR-G-213: Allele Frequency Databases and reporting guidance for the DNA (short tandem repeat) profiling.

You can access previous version of this guidance on the national archives.

We are aware of accessibility issues with these publications. We are working to fix these.

Read more about our accessible documents policy

Published 17 September 2014

Last updated 13 February 2026 + show all updates

1. 13 February 2026

   The guidance document was replaced.

2. 22 July 2024

   Added accessible version.

3. 1 September 2020

   New Allele frequency databases and reporting guidance for the DNA (short tandem repeat) profiling added.

4. 17 September 2014

   First published.