DNA Forensics Paper

The Southside Strangler: The Advent of DNA Exploration and Testing Forever Changed the Criminal Justice System

DNA forensics is a division of forensic science that focuses on the use of genetic material in criminal investigation to answer questions pertaining to legal situations, including criminal and civil cases. Through DNA testing, law enforcement officers are able to identify human remains or the individual responsible for a crime. DNA testing is a highly advanced scientific process that involves replicating the human DNA sequence to create a genetic map of an individual. Because of its reliability, DNA testing has become a significant factor in criminal cases. However, it has also been identified as having the potential to violate privacy and constitutional rights. The DNA identification process consists of five stages. These five stages

Forensic evidence is tangible evidence that is obtained from the crime scene and examined by utilizing various scientific procedures to assist examiners in cracking a case. This Forensic evidence is obtained at the scene of a crime and transported to a laboratory, where it is handled by specialists. Three types of forensic and physical evidence are fingerprints, digital evidence and impressions.

DNA analysts have been profiling DNA since 1985. Then in 1998, the Combined DNA Index System became fully operational (“FAQs” 2010). CODIS’s three levels are the national level, the state level, and the local level. As September 2015, there is 14,740,249 DNA profiles in CODIS (“CODIS”, n.d.). Since everybody has different DNA, except identical twins, DNA analysts have been able to assists with investigator to determine between who is guilty and who is innocent. With some of their findings, they are able to exonerate individuals, who have been wrongfully convicted. Even though television may make DNA analysts’ life look simple on the screen, it is not. There is need for interest and education. Lastly, the actual job that entails for the DNA

Due to the uniqueness of DNA it has become a powerful tool in criminal investigations

DNA forensics can also narrow down suspect pools, exonerate innocent suspects, and link crimes together if the same DNA is found at both scenes. However, without existing suspects, a DNA profile cannot direct an investigation because current knowledge of genotype-phenotype relation is too vague for DNA phenotyping. For example, a profile from a first time offender that has no match in any database may give the information that the criminal is a left handed male of medium stature with red hair and freckles. It would be impossible to interview every man who fits that description. However, with available suspects, DNA forensics has many advantages over other forms of evidence. One is the longevity of DNA. Although it will deteriorate if exposed to sunlight, it can remain intact for centuries under proper conditions (Sachs, 2004). Because DNA is so durable, investigators can reopen old cases to reexamine evidence.

Indeed DNA profiling has rapidly transform the field of forensics. DNA profiling is the scientific analysis of evidence for crime scene investigation and other legal proceedings. DNA profiling is mostly used by forensic scientists and crime lab technicians. To identify criminals and victims using trace evidence like hair or skin samples. To produce a DNA profile, scientists compare sequences in the genome that vary from person to person. The typical steps in DNA profiling are DNA samples are isolated from the crime scene, suspect, victims, or other evidence. The next selected sequences from each DNA sample are amplified (copied many times) to produce a large sample of DNA fragments. Finally the amplified DNA regions are compared using a gel. All together, these steps provide data about which samples are from the same individual and which sample is unique.

Identification means the steps needed in the analysis of unknown fluids to see what the substance is (“Biology,” 2016). Individualization determines whether a certain individual may or may not be the donor of a bodily substance by examining various markers (“Biology,” 2016). Processing biological trace evidence uses highly complex, automated technology to create a DNA profile that helps the investigators through the association of suspects to victims and to crime scenes (“Biology Services,” 2017). By using techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), forensic biologists can use variable markers found on the regular chromosomes (STR’s), the sex chromosomes (Y-STR’s) and within the mitochondrial DNA to distinguish one person’s DNA from another to a high degree of certainty (“Biology,” 2016). Forensic biologists are involved in assisting investigative agencies because police were led to Bernardo by a police sketch (“Serial Killers: Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka,” 2013). The police took DNA (hair, blood and saliva) from Bernardo as a matter of routine to test it against specimens found on a rape victim’s clothing (Butts, n.d.). Forensic biologists were able to name the substances left on Kristen French’s body and match it to Bernardo’s DNA by processing it. On February 17th, 1995, Bernardo was arrested for the murders of Mahaffy, French, and the Scarborough rapes (Butts,

DNA is certain characteristics that identifies a person by race, hair color, and their sex. Technology had changed the criminal justice tremendously and DNA is a prime example of how much technology has changed the aspect of the criminal justice system. When the DNA is used in an investigation it is used to help with identifying a suspect for committing a crime. The impact that DNA has had on the criminal justice system is that it has changed the way DNA is handled, collected, and the importance of DNA. DNA has revolutionized the criminal justice system in a major way because cold cases has been solved, people have cleared from murder cases, and it has been a vital source for information in criminal cases. The case of a Florida man by name

forensic fiction. Shows like C.S.I. wouldn't be quite as interesting to the viewer if it

DNA is generally used to solve crimes. In cases where a person is identified, a sample of that person's DNA can be compared to the evidence from the crime scene. This comparison can help establish if the suspect did the crime. In cases where a suspect has not been found the biological evidence from the crime scene can be used and compared to perpetrators profiles. After observing the data, the next part is to confirm the tests. DNA can be used to determine who may or may not be a suspect. If the profile from the crime scene matches the profile from the victim, then the suspect is included as the possible source of DNA found at the crime scene. An example of DNA evidence being used in a crime can be if a man is killed and there are traces

By looking at my results, suspects 1 and 4 did not commit the crime. My other lab assistants tested suspects 2 and 3, and suspect 3 was the one who committed the crime. When looking at the DNA test, suspect 3’s DNA matched up almost perfectly, while the suspect’s DNA I tested (1 and 4) did not match up, and were not in the same location. The bands in the DNA test between the crime scene and the suspect 3 matched up almost perfectly. When looking at the crime scene DNA, the distances were 21mm, 23mm, and 31 mm, and when looking at suspect 3, the distances were 21, 23, and 30. Suspect three was the closest match to the crime scene. The distances for suspect 1 and 4 were nowhere near the same distances as the crime scene DNA. Please ask my lab assistant Nathan for the results of the DNA of suspect 3.

Every day DNA technology becomes more advanced and innovative, for example can match the smallest amounts of biological evidence to a criminal offender. Future DNA techniques will be applied to existing systems and testing methods that will become more automated and will be more effective and less time consuming. Instead of waiting months of DNA results the future will provide instantaneous means for DNA profile development.

DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid, which is found in almost all living things. DNA serves as a code for the creation and maintenance of new cells within an organism. Within humans, it is found in almost every cell. Although most of our DNA is found within the nucleus of our cells as nuclear DNA, a very small amount of our DNA is also found within the mitochondria as mitochondrial DNA. Because mitochondrial DNA is generally not used for solving crimes, for the purpose of this paper it will be disregarded.

DNA fingerprinting is a scientific technology involving the extraction, replication and arrangement of strands of an organism’s DNA. This results in the formation of a genetically distinctive fingerprint that is unique to the organism which the DNA sample was originally extracted from. Because of the specificity of a DNA fingerprint, the application of this technology can have a substantial influence on many aspects of society. Accessibility to a DNA database allows for higher efficiency in forensic investigations, personal identification, maternal and paternal testing. The availability of a national database to police officers and forensic scientists would equate to increased productivity in investigations and prosecution of suspects in a