Science of forensics:

The application of science to law (both criminal and civil)

Genome - Entire complement of DNA

DNA - Chemical code that makes life possible

Nucleoctide - Building blocks of DNA

MRNA - Template for protein synthesis

Protein - Functional and Structural

Gene - Sequece of DNA that encodes a specific protein

Allele - Alternative form of gene

Locus - Position on a chromosome

Short Tandem Repeat - Repeating sequences of DNA that occur across the genome

Services provided by forensic laboratories:

Chemical & Physical sciences (glass, paint, fibers, explosives, fire debris, impression evidence)

Toxicology (Drug analysis) - Chemical analysis of samples for presence of controlled substances and of body fluids / organs for presence of drugs / poisons

Biology (Analysis of hair, blood & other biological fluids, blood splatter analysis)

DNA Profiling:

Identification of individuals based on traces of blood, semen stains, hair, saliva residues.

→ Used in paternity testing, food analysis, livestock pedigree analysis

Sample preparation - Reference samples from suspects are collected on special cards from which small circle is punched out for processing

DNA extraction - DNA is recovered from cells and cleaned in preparation for profiling

Quantification - Amount of DNA required for successful profiling (amount recovered is measured)

Amplification - The pieces of DNA targeted in profiling are copied many times, makes profiling sensitive enough to generate a profile even from a barely visible blood stain

Capillary Electrophoresis - The size of the pieces of DNA targeted are measured and profiles are generated.

Case Studies:

Ted Bundy - Odontology

Wayne Williams - Fiber evidence

Roger Severs - Plant and Fiber evidence

Ennis Cosby - Hair evidence

OJ Simpson - DNA profiling

Snowball (Cat) - Animal DNA evidence

Phoenix Arizona - Plant DNA evidence

Golden State Killer - Genealogy database