DNA FINGERPRINTING



DNA Fingerprinting: A review of the criticisms of DNA evidence. Is it really the absolute identification evidence?

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction7

DNA Explained in Simple Terms8

DNA Used in the Human Body?12

Chapter 2: Discussion14

Process of Making a DNA Profile15

The Two Main DNA Tests: RFLP AND PCR/STR18

RFLP's18

Chapter 3: Analysis22

APPLICATIONS OF DNA FINGERPRINTING26

Murder or Rape Applications26

Mom Dad D1 D2 S1 S228

Paternity Testing28

MIA Soldiers30

Inherited Disorder Testing31

Personal Identification32

Chapter 4: Conclusion34

Case Studies39

Actual innocence39

Fingerprints47

Bibliography49

Abstract

Five decades ago, Watson and Crick discovered the secrets of DNA structure. DNA Fingerprinting, or DNA profiling, was first adopted in 1984 by Oxford University educated Alec Jeffreys. Jeffrey's discovery opened a whole new world that, once proven and perfected, would unlock markers to visualize each person's unique identity. Inside each human being, as well as plants, animals, and microorganisms, lies a unique DNA structure. Today, DNA Fingerprinting is "rapidly becoming the primary method for identifying and distinguishing individual human beings" (Betsch, 1994). Some of the applications of DNA fingerprinting techniques include: murder cases, rape cases, paternity testing, diagnosis of inherited disorders, military identification, and molecular archaeology.

Forensic DNA analysis has been admitted into United States courtrooms since 1987.

DNA profiling does not claim to be an absolute identification, but may be very strong evidence and is considered to be just one part of the entire case. DNA profiling is used primarily in sexual assault cases. Prior to DNA testing, labs were limited regarding the amount of genetic information that could be obtained from evidence samples. Now with DNA testing, the genetic content of the evidence sample itself can be examined. In the case of a rape investigation, four profiles are formed: the first is a DNA profile from the blood of the victim, the second DNA profile is formed from the blood of the defendant, thirdly a vaginal swab is taken, and the female and male fractions are separated and profiled separately. The victim's blood profile and the vaginal swab profile should match alleles. The defendant's blood sample profile should match the male fraction profile in order to consider him as a suspect. It is important to remember that DNA profiling does not incriminate a suspect with absolute certainty, but if the profiles don't match it can exclude with absolute certainty. In the case of likely matches, statistics are used to determine the frequency that this DNA profile likely appears in the general human population.

"Since the discovery of DNA fingerprinting at the tum of the zo" century, science has assumed an increasingly important and powerful role in the decision making process of our judicial branch" (Biancamano, 1996). Many Landmark cases, which set the standards for admitting DNA into the courtroom, as well as the reliability and acceptability of DNA techniques, will be discussed to prove the methods used today are valid and reliable when performed properly. Some of the earlier cases that will be talked about did not actually involve DNA, but what they did accomplish was to set precedence by establishing new rules for admittance of technical evidence, and to set ...