...the most effective ways to catch a criminal? The forensic community plays an important role in helping out with this situation. Forensic scientist help law enforcements get a lead and solve a case. Forensic scientists use different devices like urine testing, DNA testing, DNA markers, and many more devices to help get a lead in a case in order to come to the decision of convicting the right person. Forensics technology has improved greatly over time DNA In most cases the easiest way to catch a criminal is by DNA. With DNA in a criminal case it can put you at the place of crime. There are some flaws with DNA though. There is always the possibility of people having the same DNA strands. And if a piece of hair or any other kind of DNA is found at a crime scene and that is the only evidence and two people have the same DNA strand there’s a possibility of the wrong person going to jail. Once a crime has been committed the most important item to recover is any type of evidence left at the scene. If the suspect left any DNA at the crime scene, he could then be linked to the crime and eventually charged. A suspect’s DNA can be recovered if the suspect leaves a sample of his or her DNA at the crime scene. However, this method was not always used to track down a suspect. Not a long time ago, detectives used to use bite marks, blood stain detection, blood grouping as the primary tool to identify a suspect. DNA analysis has been the most recent technique employed by the forensic science...
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...range from the downright tedious to the technologically astounding, but they have all greatly impacted how evidence is collected, documented, and analyzed. There are around one hundred unsolved homicides in New Hampshire alone, dating back to the early 1960’s. (Department of Justice, 2015). Evidence from those crimes could quite possibly be the golden ticket in solving the wrongdoing, but with outdated techniques and capabilities, the answer will remain a mystery. If the state makes older evidence testing a priority, cold cases could finally find the justice deserved with the help of current day technology. Throughout the rest of this discussion, the call for new evidence testing in cold cases is examined while highlighting the need and importance for skilled investigators. Determination and patience, in the advancing field of forensic testing, have unlocked numerous cases not only in New Hampshire, but also across the country. One of the most under-appreciated, yet most important developments in the crime scene investigation field is protective gear. Items such as protective gloves, shoe booties, and full body suits are now mass produced and inexpensive providing affordable protection to anyone at a crime scene. These items will be the first line of defense in protecting the individual, and possibly people...
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...How has our knowledge of DNA improved 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...
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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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...DNA and the importance of the Hershey-Chase experiment Directions: Read text Ch. 10 pgs. 180-83 and then answer the questions below. Be prepared to discuss this in class. 1. What is molecular biology? What will you explore in this unit? Molecular biology is the study of the molecular basis of genes and gene expression (molecular genetics). We will explore the following: -the structure of DNA -how it replicates -how it controls the cell by directing RNA and protein synthesis -how it can change -viruses that infect bacteria, animals, and plants -bacterial genetics 2. Who are Hershey and Chase? What were they trying to figure out? Why were they trying to figure this out? Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase were American biologists. They are trying...
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...Tommie Brown Grand Canyon University The History of Criminal Investigations DNA Overturned June 29, 2016 Many cases have been solved with good investigation work and the technology of DNA. As a result of this technology many convicted criminals have been released due to DNA overturned in their cases. This was true in the case of Anthony Capozzi who spent 22 years in prison for a crime he did not commit (innocenceproject.org). In the mid-1980s Capozzi was wrongfully convicted of committing two sexual assaults in Buffalo, New York. It was DNA testing that proved his innocence (innocenceproject.org). The true perpetrator’s identity was revealed and DNA testing also revealed that this criminal committed multiple rapes and murders. The crimes itself consist of several women being raped along the bike path in Delaware Park. The crimes took place around December of 1983 and July of 1984. The attacker had it all planned out as he would wait for the right moment then move in for the attack. The attacker apparently surprised his victims from behind by threatening them with a gun. Once the victim was at his mercy he went on to rape them and when finished he gave them instructions to remain on the ground for up to 20 minutes before they move (innocenceproject.org)...
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...In the past thirty years,the war on cancer has evolved in many ways. One way cancer treatment has progressed is the technology of genetic mapping. Genetic mapping is researching one’s genes to identify gene markings for certain diseases. Genes are found in the DNA in each cell that makes up the human body. There are typically 30,000 different genes per cell, and they control every function and aspect of every living organism (“Genetics”). People have forty-six chromosomes in two sets of twenty-three, one set from your father and one from your mother (“Genetics”). Genes control how a person is made by making proteins. Each gene has a "code" for making proteins. This is because each cell needs to perform a certain task. Cancer begins when one...
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...Composition 1 April, 11th 2013 Genetic Engineering Tentative Thesis: Even though altering DNA can lead to such horrifying events as genocide or viral diseases, genetic engineering is an important scientific breakthrough because by altering DNA, we can cure many diseases and solve many of mankind's problems. 1. History of Genetic Engineering A. What Led to the need for genetic engineering a. Prehistoric Times-1900 B. Gregor Mandel b. European botanist genetically altering plants 2. Modern Genetic Engineering C. DNA c. Watson & Krick 1. discover DNA a. How it affected science d. Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen 2. recombinant DNA D. Government e. Supreme Court 3. Diamond v. Chakrabarty f. FDA 4. Approval of genetic engineered food 5. Field Testing b. Tobacco c. Tomatoes g. International Bio-safety Protocol E. Advancements & Achievements h. Technology i. Disease curing j. World Hunger 3. Ethical Issues F. Religious k. Are we playing God? G. Environmental l. What’re the long term environmental effects H. Bio Ethics m. What if we make something we can’t control n. Is it possible the technology may be used to create slaves? o. When does...
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...Aditya Bhagirath Rev. Chux Okochi SPE1000c 12 October 2015 Key Word Outline I. Introduction A. DNA is a term we throw around so often in the science world B. What is it? How does its structure influence our lives? C. Who discovered it? Where did this happen? D. The structure of DNA is quite important to our somatic function E. Applications of DNA in our daily life, as well as man made functions that are incredibly important to our development in civilization * PCR and Gel Electrophoresis : Polymerase Chain Reaction with Gel Electrophoresis * Monoclonal and Polyclonal antibodies * DNA genotyping : Used in conjunction with PCR/Gel Electrophoresis to compare DNA for filial testing(maternity/paternity) as well as CSI for identification of potential suspects(forensics); can also be used to trace pedigree F. The structure of DNA is incredibly important to it’s function, and the discovery of this molecule, that is the basis of our life, has influenced the advancement of the human race because of it’s incredible structure and variability as well as its role in human side application. II. Body G. DNA is Deoxyribonucleic acid * It is also known as a polynucleotide * It is one of the 3 major macromolecules of life! * It is a complex molecule * It is a anti-parallel double helix – meaning its two opposite sides twirl around and form a parallel twisting molecule * Deoxyribose...
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...Confidence will grow in the lab with certification as well. Once a lab is deemed certified, it must continue to demonstrate quality and adaptability to remain certified. If not, or if the lab suffers any setback or does not abide by the bylaws of the ASCLD, revocation of the certification will occur. Labs that want to be certified should also draft a memo, or justification letter, to the ASCLD and to its management for becoming certified. The memo should state all reasons why the lab is wanting certification, the program it specializes in (type of lab, in other words) and why certification would help the lab. All labs also need testing requirements, such as testing for DNA, using the principles of ASCLD. All labs deal with biological matter, so there has to be safety standards set in order to protect workers from exposure. A good example of this is if someone was exposed to blood collected form a scene or evidence, or a victim. OSHA sets standards and regulations that must be followed, so labs need to have policies in place, and visible to all employees. There are examples of all such a memos...
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...been of assistance in developing of DNA based methods that are used in determining blood group genotype. Inherited blood group antigens have been described on human red cells surface. They were revealed by detecting of antigen specific anti bodies, which are mostly found in human serum. Very few of these blood group antigens are actually polymorphic in the world. This means that they have alternate alleles at great levels that can be maintained by a mutation that has to be recurrent. A few of the polymorphic antigens stimulate antibodies of clinical significance. This one happens by causing transfusion reactions or...
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...Pre-Lab Questions 1. Nitrogen fixation is a natural process by which inert or unreactive forms of nitrogen are transformed into usable nitrogen. Why is this process important to life? The useable nitrogen created, is extremely important since it is used to form DNA, enzymes, and other biological processes. Nitrogen fixation is also important because when it is inert, it is useless for organisms. 2. Given when you have learned about the hydrogen bonding shared between nucleic acids in DNA, which pair is more stable under increasing heat: adenine and thymine, or cytosine and guanine? Explain why. Adenine and thymine are more stable because, the additional carbon bonds make their nucleotides more stable. 3. Which of the following is not an...
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...Persuasive Communication Presentation: Abolish the Death Penalty India James PHL/458 July 1, 2013 Why Team C chose a poster Our team chose to use a poster to convey ideas in regard to the death penalty. The glogster poster format provides “an interactive visual platform in which users create a “poster or web page” containing multimedia elements, including text, audio, video, images, graphics, drawings, and data” (Glogster EDU, 2013). The ideas presented are easy to read and understand with only the most important points presented. The intended audience will be the American voters, so the poster needs to be easy to understand. Possible Reasons the Audience May Reject Our Idea There are many reasons that the audience may reject our ideas. The death penalty is quite controversial, and it seems as many people supporting the death penalty, twice as many oppose it. Reasons the audience may reject abolishing the death penalty are emotion, lack of facts, and peer pressure. Most often people favor the death penalty over life in prison as an emotional reaction. People are adamant about what they have experienced, seen or heard on television or newspapers and make choices based on their emotional decision. The issue that our team sought to resolve was the incidents of innocent lives lost when those wrongfully convicted were sentenced to death. As a team we believe that the only way to solve this issue is to abolish the death penalty. Anticipated Audience Objections ...
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...build a case around him or her. There are many reasons why individuals may falsely confess to a crime they did not commit. For example, some lawyers, despite knowing that their client is innocent, may urge or recommend they take a plea deal if the outcome does not look favorable to them (Huff & Killias, 2010). Also, there may be the use of high-pressure police interrogation tactics that can coerce false confessions from individuals. In regards to forensic mistakes, because humans must collect and test DNA samples, the process is susceptible to human error (Taupin, 2014). These errors often lead to innocent individuals wasting many productive years behind bars and in certain cases result in their death. All these factors show how the criminal justice system is not perfect and consequently how wrongful convictions can occur. The Positive Use of DNA Evidence DNA typing is a staple of modern crime investigations due to its ability to determine if distinctive patterns in the genetic material found at a crime scene matches the DNA in a potential perpetrator with high accuracy (Taupin, 2014). Not only has DNA typing allowed the police to apprehend perpetrators, it has also been vital in discovering innocence for incarcerated individuals. There are many cases where innocent people are incarcerated, or even executed, because of errors in the criminal justice process (Taupin, 2014). Some of these cases happened when DNA testing was not available, and others were caused by human and systematic...
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