DNA STR Testing

by Jack
(canada)

I was looking up Forensics/DNA testing recently, and I noted that there were texts that indicated that DNA STR testing can only reliably be done within 72 hours.

However, I'm perplexed as there are often decades old DNA samples where innocent parties have been exonerated.

So if you can test decades old DNA accurately, why is DNA STR testing only reliable for 72 hours - or maybe I'm confusing the issue and the sample has to be retrieved in 72 hours.

Please explain.

Related Information on The All About Forensic Science Website

Forensic DNA