The Science: How DNA Works in Forensic Investigations

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The Science
How DNA Works in Forensic Investigations
First, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) refers to the basic building unit or block of life. The biological data encoded in an organism's DNA tends to act as a primary blueprint of the organism's biological growth and functioning. The DNA naturally exists in cells of living organisms (Buckleton, Bright, & Taylor, 2016). Therefore, scientists can establish the DNA of an individual by performing a test in their cells. According to forensic scientists, only 1 % of human DNA differs from one person to the next. However, specific areas of DNA patterns of a person’s tend to repeat many times. The amount of these recurrences differs between persons, though; identical twins can have the exact same DNA (Buckleton, Bright, & Taylor, 2016).
In crime convictions and forensic cases, a police or a detective who is a forensic expert can gather DNA evidences at a crime scenes from sources such fingerprints, bloodstains, saliva spit and hair drops (Buckleton, Bright, & Taylor, 2016). These sources when analyzed can provide valuable DNA, although not all samples have sufficient content of DNA to facilitate DNA profiling. After collecting the samples, the forensic experts will analyze the biological information to determine a DNA profile of a person(s) who owns the samples. Thereafter, the investigators will draw comparisons between the analyzed samples from the crime scene and those of suspect (s) if they have in mind. If the two specimens compared, then the bearer of the samples is convicted as guilty for the crime (Buckleton, Bright, & Taylor, 2016). Additionally, the police forensic departments have databases of DNA profiles collected from previous crime scenes that investigators can use to identify suspects by likening the database of information to the DNA profile sourced from the biological confirmation and evidence (Buckleton, Bright, & Taylor, 2016).
The DNA approach differs with eyewitness and hair analysis approach in the followings ways. First, DNA is more detailed and accurate in criminalizing a suspect compared to eyewitness and hair testing (Buckleton, Bright, & Taylor, 2016). Hair testing is mostly used in evaluating an individual(s) general state o...