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Why Dna Is Important In Forensic Science

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DNA is very helpful in forensic science. Forensics is the scientific study of evidence for crime scene investigators and any other legal proceedings. The study of DNA samples to determine whether they come from the same individual is known as DNA profiling. DNA profiling can help assist crime scene investigators identify an individual. To match DNA, scientists usually compare sequences in the genome that varies from person to person. DNA profiling has become an essential tool in forensics. For example, DNA profiling first attracted people’s attention during the O. J Simpson murder trial case. DNA analysis proved that the blood found in Mr. Simpsons car belonged to the victim and also that the blood at the crime scene belong to Mr. Simpson. DNA profiling can also be used to identify murder victims. For example, after 911 took place, DNA profiles of tissue samples were matched from the disaster site were matched to DNA profiles of tissue known to be of the many victims. DNA profiling also extends beyond crimes. For instance, comparing the DNA of a mother, her child, and the alleged …show more content…

One of biology’s major goals is to explain how such diversity arises while also accounting for characteristics common to different species. For example, the universal genetic language of DNA is a form of how biological diversity arises. This basic language joins all the kingdoms of life. Biodiversity can help boosts an ecosystems productivity. One example of biological diversity is the rainforest. It has so many different types of species within it that it is considered to have biological diversity. A local pond is also another example of biological diversity. If you could take a closer look within the pond you can locate several species that share the same home. Deserts, rainforests, and coral reefs are examples of biologically diverse

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The Department of Justice says, "States began passing laws requiring offenders convicted of certain offenses to provide DNA samples. " That DNA evidence can help convict someone of a crime and it helps to uncover more things about the crime itself. Investigators have been using forensic science to help them solve cases since before the 90 's, mostly fingerprints that were found at the crime scenes and on the victims (O 'Brien). DNA evidence has solved countless cases including ones that happened over a prolonged period of time because of the technological advancements there is

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Without the help of DNA, connecting offenders to their victims and the scene of the crime, so many cases would be left unsolved. Shockingly enough, it wasn’t until 1984 where DNA was used for biological identification. Once DNA started to play such a big role in criminal justice, many cases where they didn’t have enough evidence to prosecute, were brought to court and finally solved. Even though there was such a large gap in when the offenses were first committed and when they were solved, there was still justice for the victims and their families. An important case where DNA changes everything would be that of Gary Ridgway, otherwise known as the green river killer.

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In 1968 genetic fingerprinting was first introduced into forensic science when solving two rape cases. The police were convinced that the rape was committed by the same person who committed a rape and then murdered the victim three years previous. Richard Buckland admitted to raping and murdering a 15 year old girl, but not to the murder that happened prior to this. So to try and identify who committed the murder DNA fingerprinting was carried out, they found that the semen collected didn’t match Richard Buckland’s so he was cleared of the murders.

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Today, the FBI has DNA records of more than 5 million convicted offenders in the database CODIS, or Combined DNA Index System. However, DNA fingerprinting has limitations: it is limited to directly connecting crimes to felons already in CODIS, has high risk of contamination, does not look at familial records, and only analyzes short pieces of DNA. With the advent of more affordable and high resolution genetic technologies after The Human Genome Project, over 35 million people have submitted their DNA to the largest direct-to-consumer genetic companies. Two companies, FamilyTreeDNA and GEDmatch, also allow law enforcement access to their databases. Thus, beginning investigative genetic genealogy, a new method of forensic investigation not only with higher resolution DNA information than DNA fingerprinting but also the capability of finding a suspect from distant relatives.

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Because this method is so accurate, most detectives use this method of tracking DNA. I 'm going to tell you how the process of this method is going to be done. First, the detectives start by finding finger prints or blood samples. Once they collect samples they hand it over to a forensic scientist to analyze them. They start by measuring and observing blood spatters.

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In the lab report three students are tested along with one suspect. Student number two’s DNA matched the suspects DNA. The student’s DNA’s are cut with five different enzymes as well as the suspects DNA. Student two’s DNA matched exactly with the suspects DNA; the other two student’s DNA did not resemble the suspects DNA at all. (Choi, et al, 2008) DNA fingerprinting is used a lot in determining who committed a crime.

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In King, Justice Kennedy referred to the invention of DNA technology as “one of the most significant scientific advancements of our era.” This statement has been criticized, but the impact of DNA technology has been significant. Currently, forensic analysts can use “junk” DNA to identify a person with near certainty. Law enforcement can collect a person’s DNA through saliva. The sample is then uploaded to CODIS, a national network of DNA databases.

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Murders that are left unsolved leaves family members puzzled and wondering. It is important that we solve murders so we can stop the victim from doing it again. I already know a bit about DNA evidence from my KWL chart crime research, but I would need to learn more about its specific application in cold cases. In my preliminary research, I learned that DNA has helped solve many cold cases over the years. There have been cases where decades-old evidence was retested with updated technology and resulted in identifying the victimizer.

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By entering the latex prints for cases into a database and then requesting a match on a certain set, the program would run through all fingerprints logged into the system until hitting a match. Additionally, this program also links crimes together if the prints belong to the same individual. The most dramatic change in crime scene investigation and forensic lab technicians is in the modern day DNA capabilities. In the seventies, investigators and forensic analysts would collect blood, hair, and other sources of evidence with the technology and procedures available, which were poor due to lack of technology. When DNA first became available, the collected evidence pertaining to such (blood, semen, hair) was sent to DNA labs but the technology was inadequate, and required more substantial amounts in order to run such diagnosis.

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A DNA databank is a database of DNA profiles on everyday people. It can be used for a lot of different things such as: analysis of genetic diseases, genetic fingerprinting, or genetic genealogy. DNA can also be used to solve crimes by matching samples from convicted felons to unsolved crimes DNA database for the most part is mainly private. The United States has DNA of most everyone in the United States of America. DNA technology has proved to be a valuable investigative tool that has helped to exonerate the innocent and to bring those responsible for serious crime.

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DNA profiling is a method that is becoming more popular in criminal investigations because of how the method can guarantee a DNA match. Unlike other methods, DNA profiling can take a DNA sample of a suspect and give an identity, because with DNA profiling the method uses all types of records to find the identity, not just the records of past criminals. The use of all of these different records helps in case the suspect’s match is a guarantee and not just someone with a past criminal record, whose DNA is similar to that of the actual suspect (Pros and Cons). Another reason why DNA profiling is becoming more and more popular in criminal investigations is because DNA profiling can use a wide range of DNA samples. In other methods of finding a DNA match,

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D Assessment DNA technology Forensic testing 24.11.2014 Marius Martinsen 10D Introduction: I have chosen to investigate Forensic testing, it is also known as DNA profiling or genetic fingerprinting. During this essay I will discuss what the disadvantages and what the advantages of forensic testing are. I will also talk about how forensic testing is carried out. Forensic testing is used to identify an individual by using the DNA sequences of that person.

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DNA profiling is a method of identification that is seen more and more often. Although the method of DNA profiling is a great method to use and has multiple upsides to using it; DNA profiling also has several disadvantages that come along with the method. With all of these negatives, people are opposing the use of DNA profiling in all fields that can use the method. One of the downsides to using the method of DNA profiling is that the method involves the invasion of a person’s privacy. Taking DNA from someone either willingly or forcefully, and investigating the person’s personal background, invades their privacy in a situation like a criminal investigation.

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It is based on extremely sensitive PCR techniques. Using DNA evidence suspects can be linked to crime scenes from as little as the skin cells on a steering wheel or saliva on a cigarette butt. DNA based forensic methods are much more efficient than the conventional methods because of so many obvious reasons. Cases could be solved even investigations begun after decades by analyzing DNA from degraded samples. Moreover, it is possible to deduce phylogenetic/evolutionary relations through DNA based forensic methods.

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DNA in forensic science The majority of cells making up the human body are diploid cells carrying identical DNA, with the exception of haploid gametes and red blood cells. Several types of biological evidence such as blood and hair are commonly used in forensic science, which is the scientific study of evidence for crime scene investigations and other legal matters. Forensic science is used for the purpose of DNA analysis, this is the analysis of DNA samples to determine if it came from a particular individual. DNA analysis is done by obtaining DNA samples from an individual; next, a large sample of DNA is produced from amplified selected sequences from the DNA collected.

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