DNA and DNA Profiling Made Simple Essay - 3445 Words

1.1. Amplification If the quantity of the DNA isolated is not enough, the specialist increases it to optimal levels via an amplification technique that uses the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process. In addition, PCR targets specific locations on the DNA strand known as the loci (singular: locus) to produce similar copies. 1.2. Electrophoresis In this process, the specialist separates the materials based on their size and composition of the DNA strands on a particular gel in the presence of electricity. The figure below displays the electrophoresis results (courtesy of How Stuff Works). 1.3. Analysis The last stage involves analyzing the DNA screening results obtained based on a particular program in the National DNA Database.†¦show more content†¦The criminal justice system employs DNA evidence in the conviction process. It is evident that technology affects the criminal justice system either directly or indirectly. For that reason, the lawyers and workers in the judicial system should better understand the various technological aspects of DNA. Unfortunately, the professional outline of the criminal justice system lacks the details concerning DNA. This calls for experts in biotechnology to interpret the various aspects of the technology and its application in the judicial system in a simplified mode as much as possible. This text presents a simplified guide that workers of the criminal justice system can follow to understand the concepts of DNA and its biotechnological application in the field of study. 3. DNA Background 3.1. What is DNA? The term DNA seems new and intricate to the judicial system because it does not closely relate to scientific terms. Hence, a lawyer needs to understand what the term represents. DNA, the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, refers to the major building component of life. It is a relatively long, twisted, and coiled miniature strand that holds coded information (sequence) necessary for directing and controlling all biochemical processes in the body. In addition, it is responsible for determining the body’s physical characteristics. For that reason, all individuals have DNA materials, which are behind the uniqueness they portray. In summary, the DNA materialShow MoreRelatedSolving Cases with Forensic DNA Analysis975 Words   |  4 PagesForensic DNA analysis is still a relatively new method that has been used to solve cases such as crimes and paternity tests. This method of forensic evaluation is examined by using genetic material, DNA, an acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid. Although each individual’s DNA differs from someone else’s, with the exception of identical twins, around 99.9% of DNA is the same in each person (The FBI DNA Laboratory). Therefore, in order to identify the genetic profile of the individual being analyzedRead MoreLaw Enforcement and New Technology846 Words   |  4 Pagestechnologies used in law enforcement in the textbook, I chose to take two types of technologies and elaborate their importance and their weakness to the Law enforcement field. * Biometrics and Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems * DNA Testing Biometrics and Automated Fingerprint systems are methods used to recognize the criminal by physiological, behavioral and characteristics of fingerprints. Biometrics has been used for many years and has since been upgraded to now identify criminalsRead MoreDna And The Human Body1485 Words   |  6 Pageswe call the DNA. It is predicted that there are over 3 billion base-pairs of DNA inside the average human. DNA itself is huge so let’s cover the basics you need to know about it. The DNA includes, RNA, Double-Helix, Base-pairing and an alternate DNA structure. It may seem amazing but beware your DNA can be damaged and or Replicated. In crime DNA comes very handy because detectives use forensics. Every living thing on the planet or most things have a DNA inside of them, therefore DNA is said to haveRead MoreGenetic Profiling: Legal Studies1907 Words   |  8 PagesGenetic Profiling Genetic profiling is a contemporary issue relating to the individual and technology which restricts access to unbiased decisions and privacy. Genetic profiling interferes with the individuals bodily, genetic and behavioural privacy, as it can be used for the benefit of identifying bodies to using the results of a DNA test to choose whether to employ one individual over another, due to future concerns. It can easily be argued that genetic profiling is in the need of law reformRead MoreImpact Of Dna Fingerprinting3430 Words   |  14 PagesDNA profiling technologies have had a considerable impact on how forensic science and criminal investigation have been understood, carried out, and regulated in the last 25 years. Current methods of forensic DNA profiling (known also as DNA fingerprinting and DNA typing), based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplifications of a varying number of Short Tandem Repeat (STR) loci found at different locations on the human genome, are regularly descri bed as constituting the â€Å"gold standard for identification†Read MoreThe Crime Scene Of A Virginia Man999 Words   |  4 Pagesforms of evidence have been allowed in court in many cases and have also convicted many innocent people. Years later, their cases have been re-opened with new DNA evidence and have set the innocent free. According to the Innocence Project, Randolf Arledge was accused and convicted for murder. This article states that, â€Å"in 2011, they secured DNA testing of the physical evidence with the cooperation of the Navarro County District Attorney’s Office. The testing included hair samples from the hairnet andRead More Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations Essay2863 Words   |  12 Pagesmain source of evidence. Notoriously unreliable, these techniques have since faded away to the stunning reliability of DNA forensics. In 1984, British geneticist Alec Jeffreys of the University of Leicester discovered an interesting new marker in the human gen ome. Most DNA information is the same in every human, but the junk code between genes is unique to every person. Junk DNA used for investigative purposes can be found in blood, saliva, perspiration, sexual fluid, skin tissue, bone marrow, dentalRead MoreDna Forensics And The Human Genome2746 Words   |  11 Pages DNA Forensics Before the 1980s, courts relied on testimony and eyewitness accounts as a main source of evidence. Notoriously unreliable, these techniques have since faded away to the stunning reliability of DNA forensics. In 1984, British geneticist Alec Jeffreys of the University of Leicester discovered an interesting new marker in the human genome. Most DNA information is the same in every human, but the junk code between genes is unique to every person. Junk DNA used for investigative purposesRead MoreDna Forensics And The Human Genome2744 Words   |  11 Pagesmain source of evidence. Notoriously unreliable, these techniques have since faded away to the stunning reliability of DNA forensics. In 1984, British geneticist Alec Jeffreys of the University of Leicester discovered an interesting new marker in the human genome. Most DNA information is the same in every human, but the junk code between genes is unique to every person. Junk DNA used for investigative purposes can be found in blood, sa liva, perspiration, sexual fluid, skin tissue, bone marrow, dentalRead MoreTechnology And The Field Of Criminal Justice Essay1321 Words   |  6 Pagestechnology does not begin to infringe on a person’s individual civil liberties. The 1900s brought on many technology advances regarding the criminal justice field. One of the first technological advances made was the ability to test an individual’s fingerprints. A fingerprint is an impression or mark made on a surface by a person’s fingertip, especially as used for identifying individuals from the unique pattern of whorls and lines. The United States Supreme Court first accepted fingerprints in 1911.