Expert Testimony Knowledge About DNA Database

In Murray v. State, 692 So. 2d 157 (Fla. 1997), the expert who testified had no knowledge about the database on which his population frequency calculations were based, repeatedly evaded questions about the procedures he used in his testing, and misled the court as to the scientific community's acceptance of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) DNA testing at that time. This Court ultimately found the expert was not qualified, but further held assembly or creation of the database is not necessary to testify to results. However, "a sufficient knowledge of the database grounded in the study of authoritative sources" is necessary. Murray, 692 So. 2d at 164.