ipl-logo

Why Is DNA Profiling Important In Forensic Investigation

693 Words3 Pages

Biology Assignment Name: Tan Lee Fei ID Number: I14005878 DNA Profiling Has Provided Evidence in Many Forensic Investigation Introduction Forensic science has become a hot topic among human all around the world due to CSI in US television shows. Forensic scientists will do indispensable work, for instance fingerprints, DNA, injuries, drugs and computer data in order to link evidence from crime scenes. They also help to solve crimes by studying dead bodies to find out the cause and time of death, reconstructing faces from skulls and virtually ageing them. In 1984, Professor Sir Alec John Jeffreys has developed techniques for DNA profiling and DNA fingerprinting which use variations in the genetic code to identify individuals are now used worldwide …show more content…

Forensic scientists will collect a crime scene sample and extract its DNA and use PCR to make copies of the sample’s telltale DNA district. Specifically, STR which is composed of four or five bases long that are repeated many times in a row of short units of DNA will be formed. The number of repeats they contain varies widely from person to person makes the region telltale. During PCR, all the STR copies are attached to the fluorescent dyes. Make sure one type of dye for each STR region to ensure that all of the specific region of DNA copies can be eliminated from the others in the mix. Separation of various DNA fragments by size will be done using a capillary electrophoresis machine by forensic scientists. By doing this, it is quite easy to calculate the number of repetitive units at each site and the length of each STR region. One’s STR repeats must match with the crime scene sample in order to convict a suspect (Winconsin Magazine, 2013). If they are perfectly matched, it is roughly guaranteed that he has got his culprit. Even though there is a single STR mismatch, it is enough to exonerate a suspect (Eugene Garfield, 1989). Therefore, this case drives the investigators to look for the nation’s database of DNA profiles- CODIS to solve the crime in a short period of time (Winconsin Magazine, 2013). In my point of view, DNA profiling helps much in solving criminal investigations as it is an effective way to identify criminals. It is a high accuracy technique to interpret the results of

Show More
Related

Bikerman And Maroon Flash Case Study Examples

585 Words | 3 Pages

Introduction During the investigation of who hit Reveille, 2 suspects (Bikerman and Maroon Flash) were inspected using gel electrophoresis to create a DNA fingerprint, fingerprint analysis, probable blood evidence analysis, and hair analysis. DNA Analysis In developing a DNA fingerprint using gel electrophoresis for Reveille’s, Bikerman’s, and Maroon Flash’s DNA, and DNA on Reveille’s fur, Bikerman’s shirt, and Maroon Flash’s shirt, the restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphisms were separated and the DNA evidence was compared to the known samples of Reveille’s, Bikerman’s, and Maroon Flash’s DNA. (This can be seen in the picture attached to this report of the gel electrophoresis.)

Read More

Phyllis Hennem Investigative Genetic Genealogy

1159 Words | 5 Pages

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.

Read More

DNA Case Study: Jennifer's Murder

659 Words | 3 Pages

My DNA case study is on the death of 25 years old Jennifer Ji and her fire month old son, Kevin. The person that the police believed who committed the crime was a 44 years old Taiwanese national named Li-Yun (Lisa) Peng. I shall try to give the motives, mean, and opportunity for the murder. I shall give a brief description of the crime scene and then description of the overall court case. I shall also give information on the methods that the police use to link Mrs. Peng to the Double Homicide of Jennifer Ji and her son.

Read More

Dna Fingerprinting Lab Report

1726 Words | 7 Pages

Although, in our lab report, suspect ones DNA matched the crime scene when cut with enzyme one, this can be explained by how closely related the two suspects are. Therefore two enzymes were used to cut the DNA; the suspect has to match both. Moreover, the limitation to DNA fingerprinting is, if a person were to have an identical twin. This is because identical twins have the same DNA because they come from the same egg. If a suspect’s DNA matched that of the one being tested, and they had an identical twin, a farther investigation would need to be done.

Read More

Rubin Carter Analysis

1934 Words | 8 Pages

According to the Australian Law Reform Commission, “A match between the crime scene profile and a defendant’s profile does not prove that the defendant committed the particular offence.” This error however is close to always due to human error. Also according to the Australian Law Reform Commission, “It has been suggested that sample mishandling, mislabelling or contamination is more likely to compromise a DNA analysis than an error in the analysis. Contamination may occur at any stage of the collection, transport or analysis of a DNA sample.” This form of error can be easily prevented by better training the professionals.

Read More

Jonathan Douglas Richardson Death Penalty

1693 Words | 7 Pages

DNA testing and other methods can now provide accurate and certain results that are irrefutable. For example, in the U.S., as of September 2011, 273 people including 17 death row inmates have been exonerated by use of DNA tests. The increasing use of DNA testing to help confirm the innocence or guilt in capital cases is

Read More

The Devil In The White City Sociology

1344 Words | 6 Pages

As we gone further along in history we can now detect DNA, DNA from dental, saliva, cameras, and facial sketches. “DNA databases have been raised using arguments from biomedical ethics; these databases are used in a complete Different context from other biomedical tools. Because they are used in the struggle against crime, the decision to create or store cannot be left by the individual. Genetic profile Instead, this decision is made by officials of society.” Annemie Patyn and Kris Dierickx Shows the pivotal role evidence has on solving crimes.

Read More

A Good Girl's Guide To Murder Sparknotes

562 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More

Dna Profiling Pros And Cons

1349 Words | 6 Pages

While admitting that the CODIS has been successful in fighting crime, Pearson and DeLascio argue that DNA profiling represents an unwanted invasion of privacy. Because it has proven useful in law enforcement, government at all levels have attempted to expand the range of criminals required to submit DNA samples. Although it is not yet legal at the federal level, some state and local jurisdictions have passed laws requiring DNA from juveniles as well as those who commit only minor crimes In some cases, DNA is taken from innocent Americans and knowingly stored after the individual has been found innocent. Even more threats to civil rights come from unspecified retention timelines of DNA profiles.

Read More

What Causes Wrongful Convictions

488 Words | 2 Pages

One of the most accurate methods of connecting a suspect with a crime is through the use of DNA analysis. Even if no fingerprints are left behind at a robbery, for instance, a single strand of hair or skin cell from the thief can be used to positively identify a suspect. Conversely, if a suspect’s DNA does not match samples procured from a crime scene, the use of so-called “genetic fingerprinting” can exonerate, or clear, them. Concern over the issue of wrongful convictions, coupled with a sense of greater trust in DNA analysis over other, more conventional methods of prosecution, such as eyewitness testimony, has led some to call for mandatory DNA testing before any person begins serving a sentence for a serious crime, as well as

Read More

Dna Profiling Pros And Cons

714 Words | 3 Pages

Serious issues, both positive and negative, arise when DNA profiling is used to identify suspects and/or individuals potentially involved in crimes. Ethical issues are most often related to the storing of DNA profiles in a National DNA Database. Not only does this database include DNA information from suspected criminals, it contains DNA information from victims, volunteers and suspects who were not deemed guilty. DNA is the genetic make-up of a person’s body and many people argue whether it is fair or not to keep such private information in such a large database as this, especially those who had nothing to do with the crime. “It is debatable whether the benefits to society of having a national DNA database outweighs an individual’s right to

Read More

Forensic Science: The Victims Of Jack The Ripper

624 Words | 3 Pages

Forensic scientists can use DNA evidence to create a profile or genetic fingerprint of a person in order to link them to a crime. In the United States, the standard procedure is to test thirteen sections of a person's DNA. Those thirteen sections can only be found in one and a trillion people, which is more than Earth’s population (Heos, 201). When forensic scientists use ballistics, they analyze the microscopic marks left on the bullet but also the cartridge case from firing. This is ordinarily done under a split screen microscope or even by the naked eye.

Read More

Pros And Cons Of Dna Database

1144 Words | 5 Pages

In other words, fingerprints attach only to hard surfaces and can easily be worn out. Thus, the culprit can avoid leaving behind traces by wearing gloves. On the other hand, with only a small amount of physical waste like a droplet of blood, a fragment of the hair, a patch of skin or any evidence that contain genetic information, DNA database technology can quickly reveal the suspect’s identity. According to the research report “The DNA Field Experiment: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Use of DNA in the Investigation of High-Volume Crimes,” which was funded by the National Institute of Justice and submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice, it is concluded that “DNA [evidence] is at least five times as likely to result in a suspect identification compared with fingerprints”, and that “Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database [can work at] twice the rate of AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System)—16 percent and 8 percent respectively (Roman et al. 3-4).

Read More

Next Generation Sequencing Analysis

1895 Words | 8 Pages

Forensic DNA analysis continues to advance owing to development of new technologies. Addition of new informative markers to existing panel can improve discrimination power and accuracy. Next Generation Sequencing technologies (NGS) can bring new offers. Firstly, higher throughput which help in reducing significant DNA backlog in forensic laboratories. Secondly, parallel analysis became possible with NGS which can greatly improve the throughput (one run to all markers) and discrimination power.

Read More

Essay On DNA Profiling

1031 Words | 5 Pages

This unintentional act of ours might take us behind the bars or might make us the part of the criminal investigation. The research project deals with what actually constitute privacy and what is its relation with the DNA Profiling. The DNA Profiling has been emerged as the means of fair trial and means to foster justice. The establishment of DNA Database had helped the government of various countries to solve the crime manifold and the result is also accurate.

Read More

More about Why Is DNA Profiling Important In Forensic Investigation

Open Document