By John M Shirts
The Justice System and the Evolution of DNA
People Need Justice!
Criminals have become ever more crafty and devious in the planning of the perfect crime!
CRIMINALS
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Found in blood, semen, skin cells, tissue,
organs, muscles, hair, bone, teeth, and a
variety of other bodily fluids and excrement
DNA consists of 3 billion bases
The same bases present in 99% of all
people
It’s the specific arrangement that makes
people unique and identifiable.
DNA
• First person to develop DNA profiling or fingerprinting
• First person to use DNA to convict someone
Sir Alec Jefferys
How effective can DNA be?
• A masked rapist was convicted of forced oral copulation when his DNA fingerprint matched DNA evidence swabbed from him.
• Many cases have been solved by DNA analysis of saliva on cigarette butts, postage stamps, rims of cups and glasses.
• DNA analysis of a single hair found deep in a victim's throat provided a critical piece of evidence to solve the crime and
apprehend the criminal.
Preserving the EvidenceNo smoking, eating, drinking, littering or participating in any activity that might
distort or destroy DNA evidence!
1. Helped identify people who died in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck the coast.
2. Helped identify those who had already died so they could be reinterred in New Orleans
3. Helped to identify John and Jane Does.4. Helped to identify victims of the 9/11 attacks
Missing persons
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This initiative provides funding for the
FBI for the analysis of degraded and old
biological material through the Nation
Missing Persons Data Base program.
The Dna Initiative
According to the Medical Examiner and Coroner
offices there are 13,500 unidentified people.
DNA Cannot always help
ExampleAuthorities vowed to keep
searching until every person was identified and returned to their
families. However, nearly half of those
families will have to wait.In some cases, not enough genetic
material was obtained for identification.
Dr. George Bauries stated, “The problem with the trade venter is
that when the pieces are that small, they can get mixed in with
other debris from the actual building and it creates an
incredibly difficult task to separate things out.”
We will never forget.
DNA doesn’t only identify an individual but it can also
identify what nationality and/or ethnic group a
person belongs to
Genetic Profiling
Genetic profiling is very similar to criminal profiling. It helps police narrow a suspect field.
Instead of using behaviors and tendencies, genetic profiling reviews DNA material to crate a
“sketch” of how a suspect might appear.
The Future of DNA
The possibiliti
es are endless