Biological Evidence In Crime

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The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) recently declared that “all biological evidence (any physical evidence that can connect an offender to a crime) found at crime scenes can be subjected to DNA testing” (NIJ, 2012). Forensically speaking, biological evidence represents the collection and preservation of materials that contain DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), a cellular fingerprint that is unique to everyone (University of Leicester, 2016). Within the past 30 years, DNA testing gained notoriety as a reliable way of determining genetic relationships and source origins of any genetic material collected at crime scenes. Thus, the accuracy and success of DNA and its potential to identify biological markers that in the past where unseen, almost every …show more content…
Ultimately, DNA investigative/forensic units attempting to solve either criminal or civil cases must ensure that: systematic protocols within each unit ensure proper collection and retention of biological/ physical evidence; use of approved and widely accepted standards for testing of biological evidences; and exercise integrity when maintaining, analyzing, and reporting profiles related to biological/ DNA results (United States Department of Justice, 2016).
Initially, identifiable markers within DNA were used to help with genetics or hereditary propensities and / and or paternity/ parentage concerns. DNA profiling, as an individually identified biological markers and their relevance to criminology and crime scene investigations was first applied in 1986 in order to help solve a rape case in England. In 1987, the United States, immolating the DNA marker success in England, had its very first DNA based conviction related to a rape case in Orange County, Florida (National institute of Justice, …show more content…
Ultimately, DNA units and the advancement of forensics will lead to more hits and possibly more exoneration.

References
Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology: Using DNA To Solve Crimes. (N.D.). Retrieved February 08, 2017, From Https://Www.Justice.Gov/Ag/Advancing-Justice-Through-Dna-Technology-Using-Dna-Solve-Crimes

Convicted By Juries, Exonerated By Science. (1996, August). Retrieved February 08, 2017, From Http://Www.Pbs.Org/Wgbh/Pages/Frontline/Shows/Case/Revolution/Wars.Html

Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology: Using DNA To Solve Crimes. (N.D.). Retrieved February 08, 2017, From Https://Www.Justice.Gov/Ag/Advancing-Justice-Through-Dna-Technology-Using-Dna-Solve-Crimes

Roewer, L. (2013). DNA Fingerprinting In Forensics: Past, Present, Future. Retrieved February 08, 2017, From Https://Www.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/Pmc/Articles/Pmc3831584/

Genetic Fingerprinting Explained. (N.D.). Retrieved February 08, 2017, From

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