Preview

Why Do People Use DNA In Forensic Science?

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1647 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Why Do People Use DNA In Forensic Science?
In our day to day activities, we are surrounded by science. In our lives, science plays an extreme role. DNA is the abbreviation for Deoxyribonucleic acid. It is present in all organisms, whether it is a bacteria, bird or mammal. DNA is a long molecule that carries a particular genetic data; it is located in every cell in a human body except the red blood cells. DNA profiling is easy acquire and very accurate in identifying a person. There are many different ways a forensic expert or a police officer can get DNA samples. In criminal cases, DNA samples help solve many crimes. However, it also releases innocent people from prison. DNA is known to be he best thing that happened to forensic science since the advent of finger printing.
Literature about DNA
…show more content…
The discovery of DNA began in the 1800s. The origin of DNA was discovered by Gregor Mendel the “Father of Genetics” in 1857 while he was performing an experiment of genetics with pea plants (Schwarzbuch, Smykal, Dostal, Jarkovska and Valova, 2014). Years few later, Johnann Friedrick Miescher began to follow Mendel studies and discovered the molecules of DNA. Moreover, the use of DNA in Forensic science did not receive a breakthrough until the 1950s. James Watson and Francis Crick solved the genetic puzzle and discovered the structure of DNA (Portin, 2014). James and Crick were the first to discover the structure of DNA after following the work of pioneers before them. They came to a ground-breaking conclusion about the structure of DNA in 1953 (Portin, 2014). In 1980s, the discovery of DNA testing

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Study Guide on Genes

    • 1568 Words
    • 7 Pages

    • James Watson and Francis Crick were the first to solve the structure (structure=function) of DNA.…

    • 1568 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Introduction:Dna evidence has been known for many years in crime scenes.Dna evidence was first discovered in 1986.Dna evidence can find anyone by finding blood,skin cells,hair,saliva,and semen.Dna evidence can be good at finding people 95% at a time,because of the cells in the dna.…

    • 377 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    1. What is DNA? Where is it found? DNA is deoxyribose nucleic acid. It contains genetic information. Found pretty much anywhere; including saliva, hair strand, etc.…

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    For the pasts few decades, there has been a great development of the scientific area of DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, helping on scientific research and most importantly as a tool for solving crimes. Before the usage of DNA, people only had shreds of evidence on the crime which could be detected by the naked eye. However, with the development of DNA detection technology, the police can identify or get some indication about the malefactor by collecting pieces of evidence that were impotent before; for example, hair, fingerprints and even blood (Travis, 1998). However, DNA testing consumes a lot of time and money. But even with this downfall, there is one unvarying fact: DNA testing is highly efficient in solving and preventing crimes.…

    • 692 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Who Discovered Dna

    • 3383 Words
    • 14 Pages

    In the early 1950s, the race to find the structure of DNA was in full swing. The search was being conducted at three different colleges. At the California Institute of Technology, Linus Pauling, one of the best physical chemists at that time, proposed his first DNA model, which was based more on common sense rather than mathematical reasoning [Judson, 1986]. Although he was interested in DNA, he didn't seem to realize the importance of the "golden gene" [Watson, 1968]. He was behind scientists in England as a result of not being in close contact with them. At the Cavendish in Cambridge, England, Watson and Crick were studying together. Watson was doing postdoctoral work, and Crick was working toward his doctorate. Their assignment was finding the structure of hemoglobin, not DNA. At King's College in London, Maurice Wilkins was also trying to study the DNA molecule. His professor and he agreed that they needed an x-ray specialist to aid them in their search. Rosalind Franklin was the specialist whom they chose to bring to King's College because she could make excellent x-ray despite using poor equipment ["Tribute," 1987].…

    • 3383 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "I am strongly optimistic that enhancing the generation and the use of DNA information and analyses will contribute greatly to the field of criminal investigation and in effect, downgrade with expediency the crime rate in the country," Angara said. What are those for?…

    • 822 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are two types of DNA samples that are commonly used as biological evidence, which are blood and saliva (James, N 2015). A great advantage, when it comes to obtaining DNA, is that for it to be obtained, it does not require a procedure to be invasive. The main utility of DNA, regarding criminal investigation, is DNA profiling. The profiling of DNA does involve the use of specific sections of the DNA to be able to identify a specific individual. It should be noted that DNA profiling does not make use of the whole DNA, this because 99.9% of human DNA is the same. The difference is in the non-coding DNA that makes up the remaining 0.1% (James, N. 2011). Other techniques, when it comes to identifying, are the use of mitochondrial DNA, which establishes whether there is a maternal connection between one individual and another individual. For this type testing the DNA have to be a 100% match as maternal mitochondrial DNA are inherited unchanged from the mother (James, N.…

    • 915 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Maurice Wilkins has been one of the greatest contributors to DNA discovery, studying DNA molecules with the help of specialized microscopes, Wilkins and other scientists have given way to the discovery and deepening of the three-dimensional structure of DNA. Wilkin's ambition and desire for knowledge led him to investigate more into the aspects of DNA looking for its functioning and profound understanding. Along with Rosalind Franklin and James Watson, under an analysis and research project, DNA structure was observed through microscopes, spectrophotometers, and highly clear x-rays (DNA from the Begining.) In this way, the three scientists contributed to this great advance in DNA structural research, although, Wilkins is the scientist with the most valuable effort and Merits since he was the scientist who first started the DNA structure analyses project.…

    • 265 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Forensic Dna Profiling

    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages

    DNA is 99.9% identical throughout all human beings (Lander). So how is it possible that DNA is used as evidence in the courtroom? DNA gathering is less invasive than a blood test, as a simple cheek swab can be sufficient for analysis. The tiny fraction of DNA that is unique to individuals is what is used in forensic testing. In the early stages of DNA forensics, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) were used by digesting DNA with restriction enzymes and then analyzing the resulting fragment lengths which were unique to individuals (Davidson). One of the main techniques used nowadays is the combination of PCR and short tandem repeats. PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, is a method used to amplify sequences of DNA. By amplifying specific polymorphic regions of DNA, unique number of repeats at specific locations can be assigned to individuals (Human Genome Project). DNA analysis has become the most advanced method of identification, replacing fingerprints. Due to its accuracy, DNA profiling in forensics not only has the power to positively identify criminals, but also make sure an…

    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    With this knowledge and the help of two others more about DNA has been known…

    • 489 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    DNA profiling is very useful when it comes to solving crime. It can save lives, answer questions and ask questions. DNA profiling is used a lot in investigations, because it can take in a variety of things and can be use for variety of situations. But, this technique always uses DNA samples one way or…

    • 656 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The discovery of the structure of DNA opened the realm of DNA technology which changed the way crimes can be solved. In order to understand the importance of DNA in a crime, the structure of DNA needed to be revealed first. One of the most important discoveries in history was the discovery of the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in 1953 (Liras, 2008). This remarkable molecule contained genetic information that can be highly useful in solving a crime. DNA is the basic unit of life. The molecule uses the arrangement of bases and forms into a double helix. This arrangement contains information and instruction for the development of the body. DNA defines each of our individual characteristics therefore making it very unique. The “arrangement of these bases in each DNA molecule is different for everyone except identical twins” (Wilson, Foreman &ump; Asplen, 1999) and this is the key to the importance of DNA evidence. DNA is everywhere in the body and remains the same and that makes DNA a very important biological evidence. The individualistic characteristic is a key feature of DNA that assists in solving a crime. No one can deny or alter their DNA since it is found in every aspect of the body. Therefore it would be difficult for someone to defend the fact that the DNA is not his since DNA is very specific.…

    • 2124 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is a tool that is used daily by Forensic Scientists around the world. The discovery of DNA has been remarkable. Thanks to DNA many criminal cases worldwide have been solved.…

    • 412 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    DNA fingerprinting is very useful in forensic science. DNA extracted from tissue samples in the crime scene can be used to compare with the DNA from the suspect and the victim, determining whether the suspect can be excluded from the…

    • 250 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    smart phone

    • 979 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Today, DNA is a very important part of our lives. DNA technology which means Deoxyribonucleic Acid is the famous technique that using in various medical fields. It gave the history of cells on the chromosomes in our body. Every cell has a unique DNA form. For example, chloroplasts in plant, and mitochondria in plants cells and animals cells. The scientists do a lot of research to development DNA technology in future. DNA helps government to perform many action in solving crime. Also, DNA technology can find medical solution in the future and can solve the ancient history. DNA technology have a lot of effect including historic mysteries, crime, and health.…

    • 979 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics