Dna Analysis: Validity and Doubts

DNA :   Criminal Identification

Validity and Doubts







DNA, although controversial on accuracy, has provided a new means of



identifying criminals where there is little physical evidence.   This allows you to take a



piece of hair, a spot of blood, or skin tissue and make a positive identification on a



suspect.   Since it's first use by the FBI in December 1988 it has grown to become a major



factor in criminal investigation.   This new key gives them help when the crime scene



lacks evidence.   DNA evidence also allows detectives to narrow down suspects and keep



innocent people from being prosecuted.





In 1990 the FBI began development of a national DNA identification



index.   The FBI has received over 10,000 submissions of DNA evidence from police



agencies and DNA evidence has been used in over 500 cases throughout the United



States.   The FBI performs testing for free to all police agencies to help keep costs down



in prosecuting criminals.   More than 50 laboratories perform DNA analysis around the



US.   The chances of two people having the same DNA profile is 1 in 50,000 all the way



to 1 in 5 million according to scientists estimates.





DNA controls all our inheritable information like eye color, hair color,



skin color, etc.   DNA differs in all people except for identical twins.   All cellular matter



contains DNA: this includes white blood cells, bone cells, tissue cells, spermatozoa, and



hair root cells.   Adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine are the building blocks of DNA



strands which make up the letters of a genetic code.   In certain regions of a DNA strand







the sequence of genetic code is unique which allows scientists to identify an individual



and exclude others.





The FBI, Cellmark, and Lifecodes are the 3 major laboratories that courts



accept DNA profiles from.   As estimated by the FBI, the chances of two DNA samples



being the same is as low as one in a... [continues]

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