Appendix 5.1 (by James Curran and John Buckleton) ................................195This chapter is concerned with the issue of validating population databases for forensic work. The issue of independence testing is discussed. It is worthwhile considering here a quote from Weir829 reproduced with permission: “Arguments have arisen that could have been avoided if the deliberate pace with which scientific investigation proceeds had been applied to the forensic uses of DNA evidence.” The situation has improved since 1992, but there is an unfortunate reluctance in some areas to adopt continuous improvement due to entrenched views, fear of complexity, and fear of retrospective review of past cases.