...Forensic Chemist The trunk of a stolen car smells of decomposed flesh, a pair of Converse high tops with tiny specs of blood spatter are all alone in the back seat of the same car, and a half smoked cigarette rests softly on a freshly mowed lawn next to the driveway. These are clues of a crime scene. Each clue adds up to the story of something terrible. A crime has taken place, and law enforcement is on the scene. Whether it is a detective, county Sheriff or the FBI, the investigators will rely on their forensic teams to link all the pieces of the puzzle that don’t quite fit yet. A Forensic Chemist can make them fit by scientifically analyzing the evidence. Chemistry, biology, materials science, and genetics to analyze clue found at the scene of the crime, on the victims or in the bodies of the bad guys. Forensic Chemists go into a case with many unknow pieces of the crime scene they need to analyze to determine the nature of each sample. Most Forensic Chemists work in a lab. It is rare for private labs to do this kind of work so most of the time these labs are associated with Local, State, or Federal law enforcement agencies. From local Medical Examiner’s labs to state of the art FBI labs, Forensics Chemists often provide the strongest evidence in court against the defendants. They have many different types of test and methods they use to figure out what the samples mean. Each crime scene brings new types of clues and samples so a Forensic Chemist must always...
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... Mitochondrial DNA Analysis Brandon Sanders UMUC BIOL 320 6380 Forensic Biology New Methods and Applications in Mitochondrial DNA Analysis Mitochondria are structures within cells that function as energy mediators. Each cell contains hundreds to thousands of mitochondria. We know from this class that DNA is bundled in chromosomes inside the nucleus, but mitochondria also include a very small amount of their own DNA. This genetic material is known as mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA. The use of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence analysis to identify biological evidence has been well documented. More than 50 laboratories worldwide are now applying mtDNA analysis in forensic casework; e.g., to help identify human remains or to help discover the source of a shed hair. In addition, the number of mtDNA sequences added to population databases has grown rapidly. Estimates find that there are greater than 5000 sequences which have been generated in forensic laboratories, and that an equal number will be generated in the next year or two. As a result, more is known about the genetics of mtDNA, as well as the power of the system as a forensic marker. Therefore, the analysis of mtDNA is in a strong position as we approach the next millennium. Using Mitochondrial DNA as a means for human...
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...the study of criminal forensics? Introduction Through genetics, the study of DNA, we are able to figure out what and how genes are responsible for many things like our hair color or why do some people look a lot like their parents and others don’t. It also allows us to understand better how species evolve and how are they related to each other. It is important to understand how DNA mutates, changes and replicates in order to get information about what mechanisms cause DNA to change. In the 1970s scientists developed a DNA sequencing technique and other methods to manipulate and analyze DNA. This gave them the basic tools to start exploring the DNA blueprint which provided the techniques for a vast international project called The Human Genome Project (MRC). The Human Genome Project which was a major international project with the goal of decoding all our genetic information by 2003. A rough draft was done in June 2003 and it was a huge milestone that helped us understand how our genes can determine who we are (Genome Project). Many of today’s advances in DNA and biotechnology allow scientists and medical doctors to potentially cure genetic disorders through gene therapy by inserting, deleting or manipulating genes (Tillery, page 686). Another use of DNA technology is the creation of mutation by transferring DNA from one organism to another through techniques like cloning and introducing new DNA sequence into an organism to alter their genetic makeup (Tillery, page...
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...Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to intervene…It was able to ‘unofficially’ regulate DNA analysis and force ‘private companies to adopt its technological system’” (Edmond 130). These debates in the courtroom have led to regulations that are in place to ensure the proper gathering and testing of DNA evidence so that only accurate evidence is admitted in court. Suspects have a right to a fair trial and following the DNA wars, fair trials include correct evidence to be presented otherwise they may be acquitted or a mistrial may be declared. One of the factors to ensuring correct evidence is a process known as the chain of custody. The chain of custody, if followed properly, keeps track of continuity of possession. Evidence must be correctly...
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...WEEK 1- INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE Quote "Every contact leaves a trace." - Edmond Locard (1877 - 1966) Learning Objective(s) At the end of this topic, you should be able to: 1. Define 'Forensic Science'; 2. Explain the limits of Forensic Science; 3. Identify the types of forensic work; 4. Describe Locard's Exchange Principle; 5. Differentiate Reconstruction & Re-enactment. Synopsis To illustrate the scope and diversity of Forensic Science, place it in its legal context, and describe the various types of forensic work. There will also be a discussion of Comparison leading to Association, Reconstruction versus Re-enactment, Locard's Exchange Principle, and the limits of Forensic Science. Various case studies will also be analysed throughout the lecture. Case Studies Felicia Lee; Walter Dinivan; Madam Jetkor Miang Singh; Roberto Calvi; Buck Ruxton & the Jigsaw Murders; Acid Bath Haigh; 2005 London Bombings; "Brides in the Bath"; Gareth Williams; The Woodchipper Murder WEEK 2- CHEMICAL ANALYSIS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE Quote "Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea" The act is not culpable unless the mind is also guilty. Learning Objective(s) At the end of this topic, you should be able to: 2A. Atomic Structure & Spectroscopy 1. Explain the structure of the atom and Bohr's model; 2. Differentiate between emission and absorption spectroscopy; 3. Explain the chemistry behind EDX and SEM-EDX; 4. Explain the chemistry in NAA; 2B. Molecular...
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...Introduction: Defined by Keiser-Neilsen in 1970 [1] [2] forensic odontology, or forensic dentistry, is a branch of forensic medicine which in the interest of justice deals with the proper handling and examination of dental evidence and with the proper evaluation and presentation of the dental findings. Teeth are the most durable organs of vertebrates and mankind’s history of evolution depends hugely on remnants of dental evidence found on fossils. Teeth can persist long after other skeletal structures have succumbed to organic decay or destruction by some other agencies, such as fire [3] [4]. Rugoscopy (study of palatal rugae patterns), cheiloscopy (study of lip prints), tooth prints, radiographs, photographic study and molecular methods like Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are various methods used in the study of forensic odontology....
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...1)Introduction; Crime today is at an extreme high. However, forensic science has been there to help solve every crime committed Forensic science is the scientific method of gathering and examining information about the past. The word forensic comes from the Latin forēnsis, meaning "of or before the forum. The word forensic basically means the key to solve a crime.This is the technology used to help forensic teams to analyze and solve crimes.- This is especially important in law enforcement where forensics is done in relation to criminal or civil law,[1] but forensics are also carried out in other fields, such as astronomy, archaeology, biology and geology to investigate ancient times. Forensic Science is used to Identify Criminals Rape, murder, theft, and other crimes almost always leave a devastating mark on the victim. . In modern forensic science, the crime laboratories include photography section, Evidence storage section, identification section, chemistry section, General examination section, Fire arms section, instrument section and crime scene search section. 2)Origins of forensic science: In 16th-century Europe, medical practitioners in army and university settings began to gather information on the cause and manner of death. Ambroise Paré, a French army surgeon, systematically studied the effects of violent death on internal organs.[9][10] Two Italian surgeons, Fortunato Fidelis and Paolo Zacchia, laid the foundation...
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...DNA Role in Forensics Science At a crime scene there may be a lot DNA evidence left behind or none. DNA can identify victims and suspects. It can help solve cold case and give new leads to other cases. DNA is also use to determine kinship in a missing person case. It can also help exonerate someone from a crime that they were convicted of. When handling DNA such as blood at a crime scene it is important that it is properly documented, photographed, collected and stored. Besides blood, DNA can include: body fluid, hair and skin. Such DNA can be matched to an individual. DNA is the acronym for Deoxyribonucleic acid. According to Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology, “The word nucleic is referring to “DNA location in the nuclei of eukaryotic cell.” (Page49). “DNA is genetic material that humans and other organisms inherit from their parents which consists of gain molecules” (Page 48). The shape of DNA is a double helix. Some would say it looks like a twisted ladder. “The double helix has four bases; (A) Adenine, (C) Cytosine, (G) Guanine and (T) Tyhmine. The bases have to be properly linked to their pair or else there will be a mutation in the gene. The following are the base pairs that bind:”Adenine with Tyhmine and Cystosine with Guanine” (Page 49). DNA testing began in the mid 1980’s. In the online article, DNA Factors states: Ever since the start of DNA testing in 1985, biological material has been a reliable physical evidence to help solve crimes (Williams)...
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...DNA Fingerprinting DNA fingerprinting is a test to identify and evaluate the genetic information-called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)-in a person's cells. It is called a "fingerprint" because it is very unlikely that any two people would have exactly the same DNA information, in the same way that it is very unlikely that any two people would have exactly the same physical fingerprint. The test is used to determine whether a family relationship exists between two people, to identify organisms causing a disease, and to solve crimes. Only a small sample of cells is needed for DNA fingerprinting. A drop ofblood or the root of a hair contains enough DNA for testing. Semen, hair, or skin scrapings are often used in criminal investigations . A person who has DNA fingerprinting done voluntarily usually provides a sample of blood taken from a vein. DNA testing also can be done on cells obtained by a simple mouthwash or a swab of the cheeks inside themouth, but these methods are not recommended. Why It Is Done DNA fingerprinting is done to: * Find out who a person's parents or siblings are. This test also may be used to identify the parents of babies who were switched at birth. * Solve crimes (forensic science). Blood, semen, skin, or other tissue left at the scene of a crime can be analyzed to help prove whether the suspect was or was not present at the crime scene. * Identify a body. This is useful if the body is badly decomposed or if only body parts are available, such...
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...typing, or genetic fingerprinting) is a technique employed by forensic scientists to assist in the identification of individuals by their respective DNA profiles. DNA profiles are encrypted sets of numbers that reflect a person's DNA makeup, which can also be used as the person's identifier. DNA profiling should not be confused with full genome sequencing.[1] It is used in, for example, parental testing and criminal investigation. Although 99.9% of human DNA sequences are the same in every person, enough of the DNA is different to distinguish one individual from another, unless they are monozygotic twins.[2] DNA profiling uses repetitive ("repeat") sequences that are highly variable,[2] called variable number tandem repeats (VNTR), particularly short tandem repeats (STR)s. VNTRs loci are very similar between closely related humans, but so variable that unrelated individuals are extremely unlikely to have the same VNTRs. The DNA profiling technique was first reported in 1984[3] by Sir Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester in England,[4] and is now the basis of several national DNA databases. Dr. Jeffreys's genetic fingerprinting was made commercially available in 1987, when a chemical company, Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), started a blood-testing centre in England.[5] Contents [hide] 1 DNA profiling process 1.1 RFLP analysis 1.2 PCR analysis 1.3 STR analysis 1.4 AmpFLP 1.5 DNA family relationship analysis ...
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...DNA is a molecule that contains the body’s genetic information. ”DNA typing is also known as DNA profiling and genetic fingerprinting. Forensic investigators use this method to identify the suspects involved in a criminal case(s). “Although 99.9% of human DNA sequences are the same in every person, enough of the DNA is different to distinguish one individual from another.” (Accessexcellence.org) A Mr. Alec Jefferys first documented the DNA typing procedure in 1984 at the University of Leicester in England. Inside ones DNA, we find what is called Short Tandem Repeats (STR). It is known why STR exist, but what is significant is that over 30 percent of human DNA is made up by these STR. “STRs are locations on the chromosome that contain short sequence elements that repeat themselves with in the DNA molecule.”(Saferstein, R pg.397) With Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR technology, DNA research has made leaps and bounds. This method greatly enhances a single piece of DNA and makes thousands of copies of that particular DNA sequence. Another reason PCR is proven beneficial is that it moves shorter strands of DNA that are supposed to be more stable and less subjected to degradation, as oppose to the longer strand that break in bad environment atmospheres. Particularly PCR can enhance the STRs found in individuals blood and can be used to tell the difference between different individuals DNA, thereby proving a person innocent or guilty. In criminal investigations today DNA is used...
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...techniques in forensics increased the succession rate of convicting criminals from the period of 1890-1950? Introduction The birth of forensic science within the use of the police force revolutionised how crime investigations were conducted, via the work of the forensic scientists, or also known as ‘forensic officers’. This work would consist of collecting evidence from a crime scene such as looking for fingerprints on either a suspected murder weapon used by the murder or on a touchable surface which is in the crime scene where the suspect laid their hand on. Furthermore this collectivisation of evidence from the crime scene could mean collecting; foreign fibres (unusual fibres that seem to look like that they do not belong their i.e. due to their different colour, type of fabric or thickness of the fibre.); retrieving bullets and firearms form the crime scene and any possible DNA samples that can be collected in the crime scene such as blood spatter on the walls of a room, where in this case the crime was committed. This evidence would then be sent to be analysed by more forensic scientists in different subdivisions to help led a path to a final suspect, thus leading the police to a quick and successful conviction of a criminal and bring justice to their crimes. Overall this revolution of the police force saw the birth of a new era of fighting crime throughout the whole of the country, as well as throughout the rest of the world. How the evolution of different forensic techniques...
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...pathologists identify microorganisms that can cause infections – bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites – so that the most effective treatment can be selected for each particular case. An anatomic pathologist assists surgeons during operations by providing immediate diagnoses on biopsies (specially treated tissues removed in surgery and rushed to the lab). A forensic pathologist uses lab science to answer questions about evidence collected for criminal and civil cases. Other pathologists conduct research in pathology, developing new tests and new instruments to better diagnose diseases. Some pathologists devote their careers to research in pathology, developing new tests and new instruments to better diagnose diseases. Pathologists often teach their specialty to medical students and those preparing for other laboratory professions, including clinical lab technology and cytotechnology, among others. Pathologists are problem-solvers, fascinated by the process of disease and eager to unlock medical mysteries, such as AIDS and diabetes, using the sophisticated tools and methods of modern laboratory science. With...
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...non-DNA exonerations was the Michigan Innocence Clinic. It revealed particular circumstances that people have always deemed as the wrongful conviction. The scenarios reveal that the criminal justice needs amendments and change how the Michigan Innocence clinic should deal with the system’s trends. The following are among the causes of wrongful convictions: Eyewitness Misidentification: sometimes the eyewitnesses could misidentify a person and cause wrongful conviction on the person. According to Loftus & Greene (1980), the human is not a recorder and as such, it is a reliable source of information. It is because eyewitnesses cannot remember everything exactly the way it happened. Similarly, Junk science is another cause of wrongful convictions. There has been numerous forensic methods for testing but have brought no or little scientific justification and with...
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...Forensics History Theresia L. Coates Criminal Justice 1010 Forensics History What does Forensics mean? How old is forensic science? When it was first applied to the law? How has the Forensic science changed the arrest and prosecution success of criminals? The term "forensic" comes from the Latin and means, simply, having to do with the law. How has Forensics evolved from the beginning until today? Let us delve into the history of forensics and its blossoming partnership with the law. Surprisingly, Forensic Science has been around and used in criminal investigations in some manner since before the Roman Empire making it centuries old. It has only been within the last century that law enforcement agencies and the court systems have come to rely so heavily on the use of scientific practices in crime scene investigations.1 The first application of forensic science was by the Roman physician Antistius in the year 44 B.C., whom examined the body of Julius Caesar. He determined even though the dictator was stabbed 23 times, only one wound through his chest caused his actual death. This autopsy is thought to be the first one recorded and the start of using forensic science. Here in the Greek and Roman society extensive knowledge was developed regarding the production, use and symptoms of various poisons, making it possible to identify their use in previously undetected murders. Thanks to these western civilizations advances in the medical field as well as pharmacology were...
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