What types of samples can be used as a suspect reference?
Typical sample types that are used as suspect references would be a blood sample (usually dried on a FTA card) or a buccal sample (a swab of the inside of the suspect’s cheek). However, if this type of sample is not available, we can also accept inferred suspect references. An inferred reference is an item that can be tested for DNA that is expected to belong to the suspect, such as a used cup or bottle that the suspect was seen drinking out of, or a cigarette butt that the suspect dropped on a sidewalk.
