Standard for Construction of Multilocus Databases

This standard sets forth the minimum requirements for developing multilocus population genetic databases for wildlife forensics, including criteria for the identification of samples, inclusion of associated biological information, selection and evaluation of genetic markers, standard statistical evaluation of the reference databases, and evaluation and quality assurance of databases. This standard applies to databases generated from reference samples and excludes those derived from evidence items. 

This document does not cover specific applications, such as individual and familial relationship evaluation, geographic assignment, or other scientific techniques performed on wildlife forensic casework. This standard addresses the technical procedures a laboratory requires, but does not specify what validation studies (e.g., representativeness of test samples, choice of thresholds) are necessary to meet scientific requirements of validity.