Questions for a biological examination

Search questions

Suitability and description of objects

01Suitability and description of objectsIs the submitted object suitable for answering the questions posed?

02Suitability and description of objectsWhich features of the object can be established from the submitted materials?

03Suitability and description of objectsAre the submitted photographs sufficient for a preliminary assessment?

04Suitability and description of objectsWhat circumstances of sampling and storage of the object need clarification?

05Suitability and description of objectsCould a change in the object's condition affect the findings?

06Suitability and description of objectsWhat additional objects or information are needed?

07Suitability and description of objectsIs examination possible from the submitted copy or image?

Objects of plant origin

08Objects of plant originIs the submitted object of plant origin?

09Objects of plant originWhich morphological features are available for examination?

10Objects of plant originDo the features allow species or another agreed classification to be determined?

11Objects of plant originAre the submitted plant specimens comparable with one another?

12Objects of plant originWhat limitations arise from the sample's state of preservation?

13Objects of plant originIs an additional examination needed to answer the agreed question?

Objects of animal origin

14Objects of animal originIs the submitted object of animal origin?

15Objects of animal originWhich diagnostic features have been preserved in the submitted object?

16Objects of animal originDo the features allow the agreed taxonomic classification to be determined?

17Objects of animal originAre the submitted objects and comparison samples comparable?

18Objects of animal originHow do the condition and method of storage affect the possibilities for examination?

19Objects of animal originWhat limits on the findings arise from the volume of materials?

Traces and comparison samples

20Traces and comparison samplesCan the submitted traces be examined biologically within the agreed task?

21Traces and comparison samplesWhat comparison samples are needed for the examination?

22Traces and comparison samplesAre the objects comparable, taking account of their provenance and condition?

23Traces and comparison samplesCan it be established that the submitted objects belong to the same group?

24Traces and comparison samplesWhat alternative explanations for the identified matches should be tested?

25Traces and comparison samplesWhat extent of sampling is needed, and what are its consequences?

Methodology and limitations

26Methodology and limitationsDo the selected methods match the properties of the submitted objects and the questions?

27Methodology and limitationsWhich methods can be used without altering or consuming the object?

28Methodology and limitationsWhat circumstances of the object's discovery and transfer need to be documented?

29Methodology and limitationsWhat limitations arise from contamination or partial preservation?

30Methodology and limitationsAre the source data sufficient for a categorical finding?

31Methodology and limitationsWhat additional information needs to be requested?

Expert report review

32Expert report reviewWere sufficient objects and comparison samples used in the opinion under review?

33Expert report reviewAre the conditions of sampling, packaging and storage of the materials recorded?

34Expert report reviewIs the choice of methods justified for the questions posed?

35Expert report reviewAre observations, interpretation and final findings distinguished?

36Expert report reviewHave limitations and possible alternative explanations been taken into account?

37Expert report reviewWhat contradictions or omissions have been identified in the opinion?

For a review

38For a reviewAre the provenance, packaging and condition of the biological objects described?

39For a reviewIs the suitability of the objects and samples for the selected methods substantiated?

40For a reviewDo any findings go beyond the biological features established?

41For a reviewDo the findings address the questions posed?

42For a reviewAre the source materials and limitations of the examination described sufficiently?

43For a reviewCan the course of the examination be checked from the report's text and appendices?

44For a reviewAre the analytical section and final findings consistent?

45For a reviewAre established facts distinguished from assumptions?

46For a reviewHave significant alternative explanations been considered?

47For a reviewWhich deficiencies may affect the report's validity?

These formulations are a starting point. Questions are refined according to the objects, available materials and the expert's competence.

How to select questions

Describe the object, the circumstances of its discovery and its state of preservation. The examples need to be refined for the specific assignment and available methods.

Service limits

The website does not offer forensic medical, veterinary, sanitary and epidemiological, or genetic (DNA) examinations. Laboratory work and involvement of a practitioner in the relevant field are agreed separately. Legal assessment of evidence is carried out by the authorized body.

Discuss a biological examination

Describe the task and questions that need to be answered. Provide contact details for a reply; the terms of the particular service are agreed separately.

Your name Contact phone number or email * Briefly describe the task * Attach documents or photographs I give consent to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of considering and responding to my enquiry.

How data is processed: Personal Data Processing Policy. Attach only the materials needed; where possible, conceal unnecessary data about other people.

Leave blank

For an assessment, it is advisable to attach photographs of the object, a description of its provenance, the questions and procedural documents.

Attachments: up to 10 files of up to 10 MB each, with a maximum combined size of 15 MB. If a file is rejected, the enquiry is not sent.

Questions for the expert