DNA can be used for a variety of tests and it is especially useful in forensics.
Learn all about
DNA testing in forensic science, looking into how DNA is collected, processed, and analyzed
to come to conclusions in an investigation.
The Power of DNA
In 1992, an elderly woman by the name of Angela Kleinsorge was found deceased in her San
Diego residence. An investigation revealed that she had been sexually assaulted prior to being
stabbed to death. Despite the identification of possible suspects, the case eventually went
cold. In 2016, law enforcement reopened the investigation into Ms. Kleinsorge's murder and
requested that familial DNA testing, which involved DNA testing of a close relative related
to the suspect, be conducted. In 2017, the results implicated an original suspect, Jeffrey Falls,
a then neighbor of the victim. Although the case is now solved, Falls won't be prosecuted
because he died in 2006.
What Is DNA?
We are all familiar with the term DNA, a frequently used term in law enforcement and on
television crime shows. But what exactly is DNA? DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid and
is a molecule found in the nucleus of cells. It contains genetic information that is necessary to
maintain growth of a living thing, such as a human being, animal, or plant. DNA is also
passed on from one generation to the next, which is why the familial DNA testing in our
opening example was successful. This image is what DNA would look like if it were visible
to the naked eye.
DNA
DNA Testing and Forensic Science
There are many uses for DNA testing, including determining someone's family background,
parental lineage and genealogy, identifying the origin of a mixed breed dog, and even
determining what genetic conditions a child might be born with while still in the womb.
Perhaps the most fascinating use of DNA has been in forensic science, an area of science
which is concerned with using scientific inquiry to ensure justice is served in legal matters.
In our opening example referring to the Angela Kleinsorge case, we saw how DNA helped to
solve a murder case that remained cold for over 25 years. Let's take a look how DNA is
typically collected, processed, and analyzed in forensic science.
DNA Collection
There are many places from which to collect DNA, and many forms in which DNA can be
collected. Some sample biological sources of DNA include:
Blood stains or blood
Skin cells
Semen stains or semen
Perspiration
Hair follicles
Just some of the places where DNA can be collected include:
The victim or suspect believed to be involved in a crime (mouth swab, blood draw,
etc.)
Cigarette butts that are tossed to the ground contain saliva
Drinking glasses that have been touched can hold skin cells
Envelopes that have been licked shut contain saliva
Bed sheets that contain semen or blood stains
A hat that contains hair strands
Fingernails that may have scraped someone's skin
Processing and Analyzing DNA
Once DNA has been collected, it needs to be processed and analyzed. It is very important for
forensic investigators to properly secure DNA evidence to avoid contamination and to
maintain the integrity of the sample. Once collected, steps are followed for processing and
analysis.
There are five major steps of DNA analysis. First, DNA is extracted from its biological
source. If this source is blood, for example, a DNA profile needs to be extracted from the
blood once it has been confirmed as blood using Forensic Serology. The next step
is quantitation, where the quality and quantity of the sample are determined. Then
an amplification technique called PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, is used to replicate
numerous copies of the DNA, allowing very small amounts to be inspected. After that, Gel
electrophoresis is implemented that separates the strands of fragmented DNA. Lastly, a
DNA profile is established and can be entered into the DNA database where it can be
compared to other DNA profiles to determine whether or not there is a match.
Lesson Summary
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is found in the cell nucleus and contains genetic information
that is passed on from one generation to the next. There are many uses for DNA testing
ranging from determining someone's family background to predicting whether an unborn
child will inherit a genetic defect. Perhaps some of the greatest advances of DNA use have
been made in the field of forensic science, where DNA is frequently used to solve crimes.
Biological sources of DNA include blood, saliva, perspiration, and skin cells, to name a few.
DNA can be collected from numerous sources, including directly from the victim or suspect
or from cigarette butts, drinking glasses, bed sheets, and under fingernails. Once collected,
DNA needs to be preserved and then processed and analyzed following steps that involve
extraction, quantitation, replication using a technique called PCR, gel electrophoresis, and
lastly building a profile suitable to add to the DNA database.
The Power of DNA
In 1992, an elderly woman by the name of Angela Kleinsorge was found deceased in her San
Diego residence. An investigation revealed that she had been sexually assaulted prior to being
stabbed to death. Despite the identification of possible suspects, the case eventually went
cold. In 2016, law enforcement reopened the investigation into Ms. Kleinsorge's murder and
requested that familial DNA testing, which involved DNA testing of a close relative related
to the suspect, be conducted. In 2017, the results implicated an original suspect, Jeffrey Falls,
a then neighbor of the victim. Although the case is now solved, Falls won't be prosecuted
because he died in 2006.
What Is DNA?
We are all familiar with the term DNA, a frequently used term in law enforcement and on
television crime shows. But what exactly is DNA? DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid and
is a molecule found in the nucleus of cells. It contains genetic information that is necessary to
maintain growth of a living thing, such as a human being, animal, or plant. DNA is also
passed on from one generation to the next, which is why the familial DNA testing in our
opening example was successful. This image is what DNA would look like if it were visible
to the naked eye.
DNA
DNA Testing and Forensic Science
There are many uses for DNA testing, including determining someone's family background,
parental lineage and genealogy, identifying the origin of a mixed breed dog, and even
determining what genetic conditions a child might be born with while still in the womb.
Perhaps the most fascinating use of DNA has been in forensic science, an area of science
which is concerned with using scientific inquiry to ensure justice is served in legal matters.
In our opening example referring to the Angela Kleinsorge case, we saw how DNA helped to
solve a murder case that remained cold for over 25 years. Let's take a look how DNA is
typically collected, processed, and analyzed in forensic science.
DNA Collection
There are many places from which to collect DNA, and many forms in which DNA can be
collected. Some sample biological sources of DNA include:
Blood stains or blood
Skin cells
Semen stains or semen
Perspiration
Hair follicles
Just some of the places where DNA can be collected include:
The victim or suspect believed to be involved in a crime (mouth swab, blood draw,
etc.)
Cigarette butts that are tossed to the ground contain saliva
Drinking glasses that have been touched can hold skin cells
Envelopes that have been licked shut contain saliva
Bed sheets that contain semen or blood stains
A hat that contains hair strands
Fingernails that may have scraped someone's skin
Processing and Analyzing DNA
Once DNA has been collected, it needs to be processed and analyzed. It is very important for
forensic investigators to properly secure DNA evidence to avoid contamination and to
maintain the integrity of the sample. Once collected, steps are followed for processing and
analysis.
There are five major steps of DNA analysis. First, DNA is extracted from its biological
source. If this source is blood, for example, a DNA profile needs to be extracted from the
blood once it has been confirmed as blood using Forensic Serology. The next step
is quantitation, where the quality and quantity of the sample are determined. Then
an amplification technique called PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, is used to replicate
numerous copies of the DNA, allowing very small amounts to be inspected. After that, Gel
electrophoresis is implemented that separates the strands of fragmented DNA. Lastly, a
DNA profile is established and can be entered into the DNA database where it can be
compared to other DNA profiles to determine whether or not there is a match.
Lesson Summary
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is found in the cell nucleus and contains genetic information
that is passed on from one generation to the next. There are many uses for DNA testing
ranging from determining someone's family background to predicting whether an unborn
child will inherit a genetic defect. Perhaps some of the greatest advances of DNA use have
been made in the field of forensic science, where DNA is frequently used to solve crimes.
Biological sources of DNA include blood, saliva, perspiration, and skin cells, to name a few.
DNA can be collected from numerous sources, including directly from the victim or suspect
or from cigarette butts, drinking glasses, bed sheets, and under fingernails. Once collected,
DNA needs to be preserved and then processed and analyzed following steps that involve
extraction, quantitation, replication using a technique called PCR, gel electrophoresis, and
lastly building a profile suitable to add to the DNA database.
