Autosomal DNA Relationship Testing Guidance for Practitioners (FSR-GUI-0014)
Summary
The Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) has published updated guidance FSR-GUI-0014 on autosomal DNA short tandem repeat (STR) relationship testing, replacing the earlier FSR-G-228 document. The guidance applies to practitioners providing relationship testing services and covers STR markers, with principles applicable to In/Dels and SNPs. UK forensic science practitioners and laboratories must ensure compliance with these updated standards.
What changed
The Forensic Science Regulator has issued FSR-GUI-0014, which supersedes the previous FSR-G-228 guidance on DNA relationship testing using autosomal short tandem repeats. The updated guidance covers STR markers and notes that its principles can be applied to other autosomal markers including In/Dels and SNPs. The document provides standards and recommendations for practitioners offering relationship testing services.
Affected parties including forensic science practitioners, DNA testing laboratories, and legal professionals should review the updated guidance to ensure their practices align with current FSR standards. While this is non-binding guidance, it represents the regulator's expectations for quality and consistency in relationship testing services used in legal and private contexts.
What to do next
- Review updated FSR-GUI-0014 guidance for autosomal DNA relationship testing
- Update internal procedures to align with new guidance replacing FSR-G-228
- Apply guidance principles to STR, In/Del, and SNP testing services
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Guidance
Autosomal DNA relationship testing (FSR-GUI-0014)
Guidance for practitioners on autosomal STR relationship testing, replacing FSR‑G‑228. Principles also apply to other autosomal markers like In/Dels and SNPs.
From: Forensic Science Regulator Published 24 February 2026 Get emails about this page
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Autosomal DNA relationship testing (accessible)
Ref: FSR-GUI-0014
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Autosomal DNA relationship testing
Ref: FSR-GUI-0014
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Details
This document provides guidance and recommendations to practitioners providing relationship testing services using autosomal DNA short tandem repeat profiling. This document applies only to short tandem repeat (STR) markers, although the ethos of the guidelines can be applied to other classes of autosomal markers such as In/Dels and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
This document replaces the previously published FSR-G-228: DNA relationship testing using autosomal short tandem repeats, which you can access at the National Archives.
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Published 24 February 2026
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