Overview and history of DNA typing -- Basics of DNA biology and genetics -- Historical methods -- Sample collection, storage, and characterization -- DNA extraction -- DNA quantitation -- DNA amplification (the polymerase chain reaction) -- Short tandem repeat markers -- Fundamentals of DNA separation and detection -- STR genotyping and data interpretation -- Statistical interpretation : evaluating the strength of forensic DNA evidence -- DNA databases -- Quality assurance -- Forensic challenges : degraded DNA, mixtures, and LCN -- Additional loci and nonhuman DNA testing -- Lineage markers : Y chromosome and mtDNA testing -- Applications of DNA typing -- Future trends.