Genetics in Forensics

Summary

Genetics in Forensics

• Genetics and forensics is a combination of science and law
• The job of a forensic geneticist is to analyze evidence that is found at a crime scene
• A forensic geneticist uses different technology to extract the DNA and uses this for identification and impartial scientific evidence in court

History in Forensics

• The use of genetics and DNA testing within forensics is a very useful tool today in courts and crime scenes, however the use of genetics in forensics didn’t come about until 1986 (Calandro, Reeder & Cormier, 2005).
• In previous years, DNA profiling was developed as a method of determining paternity. The DNA links the genetics of a father and mother to a child.

History in Forensics cont`d

• Calandro, Reeder and Cormier (2005, p.1) stated that this method was later brought into the court room, “when police in England asked molecular biologist Alec Jeffreys, who had begun investigating the use of DNA for forensics, to use DNA to verify the confession of a 17 year-old boy in two rape-murders in the English Midlands.” Later the real attacker was caught with the help of Alec Jeffrey’s work with DNA testing.

WHy is Genetics useful in Forensics?

• Genetics is a useful tool in forensics because DNA is unique to every individual. This is helpful in the identification of a suspect.
• Forensic geneticists can create your genetic profile from your blood, hair and body tissues(Arnold, 2012). DNA testing in genetics is reliable and effective.
• Unfortunately, the method of fingerprinting cannot always be reliable.

THe COncerns with Fingerprinting

• Fingerprints are unique to every individual but some can be so similar they are believed to be a match(Arnold, 2012). This means it can leave doubts of how much we should trust a matched fingerprint.

Genetics in criminal law

the collection of Dna

• The use of genetics in forensics is quite simple. If DNA is found at the crime scene, the DNA can be collected and scanned.
• When collecting DNA it is important that there is no contamination otherwise the evidence is worthless.

the Problems of contaimination

• Any person that is dealing with any DNA evidence must be very careful especially now given the advances that have been made
• “Newer DNA scanning and analysis technology allows for very tiny samples to be examined and any contaminants can destroy the accuracy of the sample, particularly when the technology involves replication of the DNA.”(Murnaghan, 2014, p.1).

FORENSIC GENETICIST

The job of a forensic geneticist

• Once evidence is sent to a laboratory, it is then the job of the forensic geneticists to analyze what the DNA is telling them.
• Geneticists use the DNA sample to match the potential suspect to the crime scene.
• The forensic geneticist job is to use different techniques to analyze the DNA in the most effective way.

ANALYZING dna techniques

• PCR Analysis - stands for polymerase chain reaction. It is the process of creating thousands of copies of the DNA to precisely identify the molecules of the gene (Arnold , 2012).
• STR Analysis - stands for short tandem repeat analysis. STR consists of a unit of two to thirteen nucleotides that are being repeated over again. In the analysis, the amount of repeats is measured and compared (Arnold , 2012).

Forensic Technology

benefits of technology

• There are many benefits of using technology for forensic genetics. Analyzing genetics would not be possible without modern day technology. For example it would be difficult to create a genetic profile without the use of microscopes and multiple automatic and manual DNA sequencing software. Technology is continuing to evolve and become more reliable and useful.

advances in technology

• Low-level DNA is an example of the new advances in genetics forensics that was first used in 2009.
• “As technology advances, forensic scientists are able to analyze smaller and smaller biological samples to develop a DNA profile. For example, if a person touched an object or weapon, skin cells may have been left behind.” (NFSTC, 2013, p.4).

Controveries

Social/ethical controversies

• Social and ethical controversies have become more abundant in recent years that surround DNA collection, use and genetically profiling a person. For the DNA to be compared to the potential victim samples of their blood is also needed.
• The suspect has the right to deny a sample of their DNA if a charge hasn’t been made. The conviction of a criminal can still be done without the use of DNA.

Social/Ethical CONTROVERSIES cont`d

• Many feel that it is against their human rights to be forced to give DNA. “So long as a profile is in a database, it can be searched, and the problem with this is that so-called ‘matches’ (adventitious in nature) can be as much ‘incorrect’ as they are ‘correct’ and this possibility alone has serious implications for human rights.”(Michael, 2010, p.13).

references

references

• Arnold, P. (2012). The Use of Genetics in Forensics. Retrieved November 5, 2015, from http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/7275.aspx
• Calandro, L., Reeder, D. J., & Cormier, K. (2005). Evolution of DNA Evidence for Crime Solving- A Judicial and Legislative History. Retrieved November 5, 2015, from http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2005/01/evolution-dna-evidence-crime-so...

References cont`d

• Michael, K. (2010). The legal, social and ethical controversy of the collection and storage of fingerprint profiles and DNA samples in forensic science. Retrieved November 7, 2015, from http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=10765&context=infopapers
• Murnaghan, I. (2014). DNA Crime Scene Collection. Retrieved November 5, 2015, from http://www.exploredna.co.uk/dna-crime-scene-collection.html

REFERENCES Cont'd

• NFSTC (2013). A Simplified Guide to DNA Evidence. Retrieved November 4, 2015, from http://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org/dna/how.html