The history of forensic DNA invloving Police investigation

Authors Avatar
University Degree Biological Sciences

FORENSIC DNA

INTRODUCTION

“Where would they get the DNA from and how much DNA would they need”

(Huntley, 2002).

With the dawn of the 21st century upon us, the study of modern genetics has accelerated in all areas of science. The overload of the Internet, television, newspapers and other media sources has meant that the majority of the public have a brief understanding of DNA, or at least the concept that it exists.

This assignment looks at the history of forensic DNA, discusses a high profile case, which has used DNA as part of evidence and looks at current government policies and legislation regarding the use of it in today’s society.

HISTORY

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is commonly referred to as “the blueprint of life” and carries hereditary information that an organism requires to function (www.Impc.edu).

Dr Edmond Locard (1877-1966) formulated the basic principle of forensic science:  “Every Contact Leaves a Trace”. He was particularly interested in the transfer of material between two bodies when they interact with one another. The transfer can then be used to establish a relationship between a person and a particular time and place. (Newburn, et al 2007).

One of the most important advances in police work since the fingerprint has been the discovery of DNA profiling, which was discovered twenty-five years ago by academic Alec Jeffreys. He found that certain regions of DNA were highly variable between individuals (Gill et al. 1985, Jeffreys and Wilson 1985, Jeffreys et al. 1985b). Analysis of these polymorphic regions of DNA produced a “DNA fingerprint”.

                                                                    1

Today this is more commonly referred to as a DNA “profile.” The DNA profiling technique was initially applied to paternity testing in the U.K and in 1985 at the request of the Home Office it was used to resolve an immigration case (Jeffreys et al. 1985a).

THE CASE OF COLIN PITCHFORK

The first successful prosecution in the U.K. where DNA evidence played a central role was the Colin Pitchfork case in January 1988. Two women had been raped and murdered over a 3-year period. Using his DNA technique Dr Jeffreys compared semen samples from both murders against a blood sample, which conclusively proved that both girls were killed by the same man (). The police undertook the world’s first DNA intelligence-led screen. 5,000 men in the surrounding area of the murders were asked to provide blood or saliva samples, today this would be referred to as a “biological evidence dragnet”(Gaensslen, et al 2008). Finally Pitchfork was arrested, his DNA was taken and the profile, matched with the semen from both murders. Pitchfork admitted the two murders and received two life sentences (Fridell, 2001 cited in Pepper, 2005 p.58).  

Join now!

DNA DATABASE DEBATE

The National DNA Database (NDNAD) holds DNA samples obtained at crime scenes and samples taken from individuals whilst in custody (). Whilst in custody a buccal swab is used inside the mouth to obtain DNA. This method is used because it is efficient, less personal and doesn’t require a high pain threshold, unlike plucking hair roots from various parts of the body.

 

                                                              ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

The history of forensic DNA invloving Police investigation
Document Details
Related Essays
Forensic Science and DNA in Crime Solving
Forensic Science and DNA in Crime Solving
The use of "DNA" in police investigations IntroductionThe issue of whether DNA should be used in police investigations is widely debated in the community
The use of "DNA" in police investigations IntroductionThe issue of whether...
The Integration of DNA Applications in Forensic Science
The Integration of DNA Applications in Forensic Science
The use of Minisatellites in Forensic Science
The use of Minisatellites in Forensic Science