Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) - The DNA found in the many mitochondria found in each cell of a body. The sequencing of mitochondrial DNA can link individuals descended from a common female ancestor.
Motions - An oral or written request about a legal question made by the prosecutor or the defense attorney before, during, or after a trial. Motions are filed to make a decision about some legal aspect of the case.
Mutation - Damaged or changed DNA anywhere along the DNA strand.
No Contest Plea - In general, this means that the defendant accepts the criminal charges, but does not admit guilt. In turn, the court usually finds the defendant guilty.
Nonmatch - An individual is eliminated as the source of a biological sample. This occurs when one or more types from a specific location in the DNA of a known individual are not present in the type(s) for that specific location in the DNA obtained from an evidence sample.
Nuclear DNA - The DNA found in the nucleus of a cell.
Nucleus - The cellular organelle that contains most of the genetic material.
Partial Profile - DNA evidence that does not yield identifiable results in all 13 core loci.
Partially Degraded DNA - Forensic DNA evidence exposed to environmental conditions that may prevent it from yielding a usable profile.
Paternal Inheritance - Genetic material which is inherited from one's father; for example, the possibility that mtDNA can be inherited from one's father.
Plea Agreement - A proposed resolution to the case. A plea agreement is between the district attorney, the defense attorney and the offender and is done in an effort to resolve the case and hold the offender accountable.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - A process used in DNA identification testing in which one or more specific small regions of the DNA are copied using a DNA polymerase enzyme so that a sufficient amount of DNA is generated for analysis.
Preliminary Hearing - A hearing in felony cases in which the prosecuting attorney attempts to establish that a crime was committed and the defendant committed that crime. If probable cause is established, the case will proceed. If not established, the case is dismissed.
Pre-sentence report - A document which details the past behavior, family circumstances, and personality of a convicted offender and gives information about the crime he or she committed. It is prepared by a probation agency to assist the court in determining the most appropriate sentence.
Presumptive Test - A screening test used to indicate the possible presence of the named body fluid.
Pretrial - An opportunity for the attorneys to review the case, exchange discovery and discuss any possible offers and. Agreed upon dispositions.
Pretrial Motions - Motions that are made before the actual trial. After the preliminary hearing and before a trial, the prosecutor and the defense team appear before the criminal court judge and make pretrial motions. These motions can be for varied reasons like certain evidence should be kept out of the trial or that certain persons must or cannot testify, or that the case should be dismissed altogether etc.
Privilege - Those communications, written or verbal, between certain classes of persons which cannot be reached by the opposition in the dispute-resolution process.
Probability of Exclusion - The probability that a random individual would be excluded as the source of analyzed DNA evidence.
Probability of Inclusion - The probability that a random individual would be included as a potential source of analyzed DNA evidence.
Probable Cause - A determination by the court that more likely than not, a criminal act occurred and was committed by the defendant accused.
Probation - An alternative to serving time in prison, some individuals convicted of a crime are allowed to remain free in society, but have restrictions on their daily activities and are supervised. Violation of probation can result in a prison sentence, additional restrictions, or a change in conditions of supervision.
Prose - When the defendant is representing him/herself in court and is not represented by an attorney, as when he/she has waived the right to counsel in a proceeding.
Prosecution - In criminal law, prosecution refers to the government attorney charging and trying the case against a person accused of a crime; a common term for the government’s or state’s side in a criminal case.
Prosecutor - The District Attorney, Deputy District Attorney, Assistant District Attorney or Special Prosecutor who has been asked or appointed to review and handle a specific case.
Random Match Probability - The probability that the DNA in a random sample from the population has the same profile as the DNA in the evidence sample.
Reference Samples - A standard/reference sample is material of a verifiable/documented source which, when compared with evidence of an unknown source, shows an association or linkage between an offender, crime scene, and/or victim (e.g., a carpet cutting taken from a location suspected as the point of transfer for comparison with the fibers recovered from the suspect's shoes, a sample of paint removed from a suspect vehicle to be compared with paint found on a victim's vehicle following an accident, or a sample of the suspect's and/or victim's blood submitted for comparison with a bloodstained shirt recovered as evidence).
Restitution - An amount of money set by the court that the offender is ordered to pay the victim(s) of a crime.
Sentence - A sentence is what a judge or jury formally pronounces after a criminal defendant has been found guilty; the sentence is the legal consequence of the crime.
Sentence, Concurrent - Sentences that are served at the same time.
Sentence, Consecutive - Sentences that are served one after the other.
Sequencing – Used in DNA testing, the determination of the order of base sequences in a DNA molecule.
Sequestration - An order by the court that witnesses not speak to one another during the course of a court proceeding, and may include exclusion from the courtroom during other testimony.
Shaft - The portion of a hair between the root and the tip.
Subpoena - A legal order requiring a person to appear in court to testify as a witness or to produce documents, data or other physical evidence created or in his or her possession.
Substrate - Any background material upon which biological sample has been deposited (e.g., clothing, glass, wood, upholstery).
Summons - The document by which a defendant is notified to appear in court, and answer charges or claims against him/her.
Trace evidence - Physical evidence that results from the transfer of small quantities of materials (e.g., hair, textile fibers, paint chips, glass fragments, gunshot residue particles).
Trial - An official hearing of the facts in court. With physical evidence and testimony, the DA attempts to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Venue - The jurisdiction in which a prosecution or an action is brought to trial.
Victim Impact Statement - An oral and/or written statement that is presented to the court at the time of sentencing. A Victim Impact Statement is a victim's opportunity to tell the court how the crime affected them emotionally, financially and physically.
Waiver - Voluntary surrender of a right, claim or privilege.
Warrant - A legal order to a law enforcement agency to arrest the person named in the order. A warrant is usually issued for an offender who fails to appear in court.
