Enhancing the Power of DNA as an Investigative Tool Essay

DNA is a double helix molecule that contains information that is used to make up a person’s body. DNA controls every aspect of a person’s body from their eye and hair color, height, and other features. DNA’s specific and unique characteristic can be crucial when solving a crime. DNA can be used to convict a suspect or exonerate an innocent person. When DNA is found it is even more important that is handle properly to ensure proper identification and accuracy of testing. The evolution of DNA technology is vital to the process of solving crimes, however the process by which DNA is found and handle can jeopardize its powerfulness. The discovery of the structure of DNA opened the realm of DNA technology which changed the way crimes can be†¦show more content†¦A person’s DNA is the same no matter the source or location from on or in the body. This characteristic of DNA makes it an even more vital piece of evidence. If skins cells from dust are retrieve at a crime scene, skins cells would not have to be recollected from the suspect to prove he or she was at a location. A blood sample or cheek cells would suffice because it all contains the same DNA. DNA evidence from a crime scene can be compared from the samples taken from the suspect. A suspect is â€Å"identified and a blood or cheek swab sample is collected and sent to the laboratory and analyzed† (Wilson, Foreman Asplen, 1999). The laboratory analyst compares the DNA information from the evidence with that of the suspect to determine if there is a match. Blood and semen are common sources of DNA evidence, but law enforcement offic ers are learning that other evidence can be analyzed for DNA â€Å"such as saliva, chewed tobacco or gum left behind, mucous on clothing or tissues, or skin cells left on a surface on murder weapon† (Wilson, Foreman Asplen, 1999). All of these examples have bodily fluids that contain DNA that can crucial and narrowing down a suspect and mostly importantly convicting the guilty or freeing the innocent. DNA evidence does not have to be restricted to just blood or Semen but anything from a person’s body will contain their DNA. A suspect may notShow MoreRelatedEssay on 2001 USA Patriot Act is Unconstitutional and Ineffective2111 Words   |  9 PagesUniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 commonly known as the USA Patriot Act. This paper will attempt to prove that not only is the USA Patriot Act unconstitutional but many of its provisions do nothing at all to protect Americans from the dan gers of terrorism. While this act made legislative changes that increased surveillance and the investigative powers of law enforcement agencies to protect America from furtherRead MoreArmy Regulation 190–5137102 Words   |  149 Pagesand high–risk personnel †¢ 3–19, page 15 General civilian and or military personnel †¢ 3–20, page 15 Industrial and utility equipment †¢ 3–21, page 16 Section III Minimum Security Standards for Other Categories of Army Property, page 16 Hand tools, tool sets and kits, and shop equipment †¢ 3–22, page 16 Administrative and housekeeping supplies and equipment †¢ 3–23, page 17 Controlled cryptographic items (CCI) †¢ 3–24, page 17 Unit supply rooms †¢ 3–25, page 18 Postal unique items †¢ 3–26, pageRead MoreQuality Improvement328284 Words   |  1314 Pagescontrol. The DMAIC process is an excellent framework to use in conducting quality improvement projects. DMAIC often is associated with six-sigma, but regardless of the approach taken by an organization strategically, DMAIC is an excellent tactical tool for quality professionals to employ. Part II is a description of statistical methods useful in quality improvement. Topics include sampling and descriptive statistics, the basic notions of probability and probability distributions, point and interval