Translational Research Series: Tracing DNA evidence in kinship determination and criminal investigations by user-friendly statistical software

Professor Fung spent 3 months to learn molecular biology and DNA forensics from scratch and by learning from forensic scientists in the Hong Kong Government Laboratory.

Professor Tony Wing Kam FUNG

Chair of Statistics, Research Division for Mathetatical and Statistical Science

 

The goal of my project is to develop sophisticated statistical methodology and to provide user-friendly software for practitioners such as forensic scientists. More communications would definitely help to cultivate a translational mindset.

 

DNA testing is the most powerful tool in parentage and kinship determinations and for mixed stain in criminal investigations. Novel statistical methods and user-friendly software developed by Professor Wing Kam FUNG and his team from the Research Division for Mathematical and Statistical Science, provided a simple means of assessing the weight of DNA evidence. This easy-to-use software built upon sophisticated statistical theory and methodology has been used by forensic and paternity laboratories worldwide in evaluating thousands of cases, with very positive feedback on its analysis of complex kinship and DNA mixtures.

The developed methodology and software are of fundamental importance in legal contexts. A particularly striking example of the impact of the tool was its success in identifying three badly burnt bodies in the Hot-Air Balloon Burst Tragedy in Egypt in 2013, the investigation of which was concluded in the Hong Kong Coroner’s Court in 2016. Fung also solved the DNA mixture problem in the O J Simpson case, a murder case that involved the famous football player which caused a media sensation in the mid-’90s.

Translational research would involve considering the societal needs and how efficient and effective the applications can be translated from the complex theory. Whilst a lot of statistical research focuses on methodology, Professor Fung also looks into the applications and tries to apply complex theories to practical problems for societal needs. “The goal of my project is to develop sophisticated statistical methodology and to provide user-friendly software for practitioners such as forensic scientists. More communications would definitely help to cultivate a translational mindset,” Professor Fung said.