Essay on "Future Applications of Forensic DNA"

Essay 6 pages (2276 words) Sources: 10

[EXCERPT] . . . .

More importantly, it would also help exonerate wrongly accused individuals (Dononue 2007). In this regard, one DNA scientist emphasizes that, "Any type of organism can be identified by examination of DNA sequences unique to that species. Identifying individuals within a species is less precise at this time, although when DNA sequencing technologies progress farther, direct comparison of very large DNA segments, and possibly even whole genomes, will become feasible and practical and will allow precise individual identification" (Drell 2009, p. 2).

Conclusion

The research showed that the past half century has witnessed the introduction of increasingly sophisticated DNA sequencing techniques that provide forensic scientists with the ability to verify the identify of people based on various types of biological specimens, including hair, blood, semen. The research also showed that the basic DNA analytical methods in use today include restriction fragment length polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction, short tandem repeat, low copy number, single-nucleotide polymorphism, allele-specific polymerase chain reaction, )mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA analysis. Finally, and notwithstanding privacy considerations to the contrary, the research also showed that the United States and the United Kingdom have established elaborate databases for this DNA information that can help match these specimens with known individuals in ways that have never been possible in the past.

References

Caines, V. & Gabriele, E.F. (2004) "Two Roads Converge: the Challenge of Human Subject

Protections in the Forensic DNA Research Context."

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Journal of Research Administration, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 32-34.

Donohue, J. (2007) "Untapped Potential: Funds Shortages Prevent Extensive Use of Forensic

DNA." The Forensic Examiner, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 12-14.

Drell, D. (2009, June 16). "DNA Forensics." U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science,

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available: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/forensics.shtml.

Edelson, E. (1998) Francis Crick and James Watson and the Building Blocks of Life. New York:

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Kaestle, F.A., Kittles, R.A., Roth, A.L. & Ungvarsky, E.J. (2006) "Database Limitations on the Evidentiary Value of Forensic Mitochondrial DNA Evidence." American Criminal

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Meyer, A. (2005) Hunting the Double Helix: How DNA Is Solving Puzzles of the Past. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

O'Connor, G. (2008, April 12). Science behind Using a Speck of DNA Found to Be Reliable

after All; Crime-Fighters Delighted by Review's Findings. Western Mail, p. 10.

Pepper, I.K. (2005) Crime Scene Investigation: Methods and Procedures. Maidenhead, England:

Strerath, M., Detmer, I., Gaster, J. & Marx, A. (2007) Modified Oligonucleotides as Tools for Allele-Specific Amplification. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 402, no. 2, pp. 316-

Tutton, R. & Corrigan, O. (2004) Donating and Exploiting DNA: Social and Ethical Aspects of Public Participation in Genetic Databases. New York: Routledge.

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Appendix A

Potential Advantages and Disadvantages of Banking Arrestee DNA

Advantages

Disadvantages

Major crimes often involve people who also have committed other offenses. Having DNA banked potentially could make it easier to identify suspects, just as fingerprint databases do.

Arrestees often are found innocent of crimes. The retention of innocent people's DNA raises significant ethical and social issues.

Innocent people currently are incarcerated for crimes they did not commit; if DNA samples had been taken at the time of arrest, these individuals could have been proven innocent and thereby avoided incarceration.

If people's DNA is in police databases, they might be identified as matches or partial matches to DNA found at crime scenes. This occurs even with innocent people, for instance, if an individual had been at a crime scene earlier or had a similar DNA profile to the actual criminal.

Banking arrestees' DNA instead of banking only that of convicted criminals could result in financial savings in investigation, prosecution, and incarceration.

Sensitive genetic information, such as family relationships and disease susceptibility, can be obtained from DNA samples. Police, forensic science services, and researchers using the database have access to people's DNA without their consent. This can be seen as an intrusion of personal privacy and a violation of civil liberties.… READ MORE

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Quoted Instructions for "Future Applications of Forensic DNA" Assignment:

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Hello, I need a 1st year university level essay written on contempory (current and future) DNA methods in forensic analysis, PLEASE HELP.

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Topic (assignment title): Discuss the applications and limitations of DNA-based methods in either (i) forensic analysis or (ii) environmental/occupational health Background Over the past decade or so, the advent of DNA profiling techniques has changed the way that many forensic investigations are carried out. It is also likely that this approach will find increasing use in the future across a broader range of applications, including areas of environmental/occupational health.

Your task is to research current forensic literature with respect to DNA-based methods (remembering that molecular techniques are rapidly advancing, so the course textbook will already be a year or two out-of-date in the fastest-moving areas - consequently, you should aim to locate and use relevant primary source material published within the last couple of years). You should provide an overview of how DNA is used, and to discuss possible limitations to the methods/evidence. In this assignment, you should aim to make use of primary scientific journal articles and case reports to support your discussion (science journals available online).

Text should be word-processed, with appropriate layout and use of headings/sub-headings. Diagrams may be used within the text to illustrate specific aspects (ensure that you correctly cite all sources of diagrams used, unless they are original and composed by you). Within the same file, your reference list should form the last page at the end of the assignment (your word counts should exclude references). Referencing should be in a consistent style e.g. Harvard or APA. Note: further support on writing, referencing, etc. is given on the course website (Moodle), under ‘learning resources’.

Assessment criteria 1. Outline of the basic principles of DNA methods, demonstrating understanding of technical/methodological aspects

2. Explain the application of DNA methods to either (i) forensic investigation or (ii) environmental/occupational health.

3. Use of specific examples/cases to explain and illustrate the application of DNA methods.

4. Discussion of the limitations of DNA methods, supported by examples/evidence.

5. Use of a broad range of relevant up-to-date scholarly sources within the text.

6. Evidence of personal input, demonstrating analysis and synthesis, rather than a simple descriptive approach.

7. Academic writing style - appropriate narrative style, with appropriate attention to flow, and conclusions.

8. Format and layout – appropriate attention to presentation and structure, including full reference to sources used.

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