The Current Effects of DNA in forensic Criminology in the 21st Century

1. The Current Effects of DNA in forensic Criminology in the 21st Century By: Patricia Mitton

2. Definition Forensic Biology- The Scientific analysis of biological evidence to provide objective information on legal matters or those that pertain to criminal and civil law http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2004/sept2004/sept04leb.htm http://www.dnaheritage.com/laboratory.asp

3. How is DNA used in Criminal Investigations? http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/proftech/crimJustice/degrees/forensicTech.php

4. Current Method: DNA Typing Process requires detection and screening of biological evidence DNA extracted from a specimen and using PCR amplifies specific regions of DNA PCR used to determine a DNA profile Reason to obtain a DNA profile to be compared with suspects, victims, and database samples’ profile’s in order to find a match and catch the perpetrator

5. STR Typing STR (short tandem repeat) Typing • Done today using capillary- based electrophoresis or gel electrophoresis Involves: • Extraction of DNA • Amplification via PCR • Separation of PCR products according to length • Detection via staining or fluorescent dyes Pros • Currently the standard DNA typing technology in 11 different countries • Gives strong, accurate evidence to present in a court case Cons • Mutations have been found to occur while amplifying with PCR such as nucleotide insertion, deletions or repeats of one or more elements • Need certain amount of DNA(250 picograms) in order to carry out necessary amplification

6. STR DNA typing • Used today using capillary-based, gel electrophoresis • Focuses on specific region of DNA • Look for similarities in band patterns to match suspects to the victim http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-31802002000300004

7. New Forms of DNATyping LCN (Low Copy Number) Typing • Still uses STR typing but requires less DNA to amplify • Allows for analysis of small amounts of sample found on evidence such as a gun handle or doorknob • Method allows for larger chance of mutations

8. mtDNA (Mitochondrial DNA) Typing • Easier to type from small and/or degraded samples because it exists in multiple copies • Can analyze biological samples that lack a DNA nucleus such as hair, bones and teeth • Has been successfully typed however there is controversy about interpretation of results http://www.dnajunction.com/technology/mtdna.php

9. SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) Typing • Can be typed accurately, cheaply and in large volumes • Avoid many mutations while processing • Several SNPs lie on same chromosome which cause problems for relatedness in large pedigrees http://eli-nati.fletzet.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=76758

10. Microbial Forensics: Biocrimes About Bio crimes: • Perpetrators of bio terrorism use pathogens or toxins as weapons • Low cost for producing pathogenic agents in criminal acts • Microorganisms and their toxins major bio weapon used because can be grown via single organism or cell • Bio terrorism will be one of major threats of 21st century How to stop Bio Crimes: • Development of a strong, scientifically based microbial forensics program • Determine procedures for collecting microbial samples at the crime scene • Come up with a system when a suspected bio terrorism attack is underway • Learn more about virus’s in nature and where they come from so that we can discover more about genetically engineered virus’

11. Biocrimes • An example of a biocrime is the anthrax attack of 2001 caused by spores of the bacterium Bacillus Anthracis. • Hundreds of people were infected and five people died. http://webs.wichita.edu/mschneegurt/biol103/lecture20/anthrax_pustule.jpg http://microbes.historique.net/images/anthrax2.gif http://www.officeroutlook.com/news/Science/1286.htm

12. Future Outlook • Better equipment and accurate machinery for the use of DNA typing and amplification. • The use of SNPs and micro- array technology are looked at to hopefully be major fundamental tools for the analysis of small, degraded samples found at crime sceneswith few mutations or problems • More developed DNA databanks which store biological samples from crime scenes. http://www.cmbi.kun.nl/mcsis/vanhamer/introduction.html http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/10sep_radmicrobe.htm

13. Resources • _______.(Nov.30,2007).DNA Forensics. Retrieved on December 15,2007 from <http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/forensics.shtml> • Balding, David J. (2005). Weight-of-evidence for Forensic DNA Profiles. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. 3. Ricciuti, Edward. (2007). Science 101- Forensics. New York: Smithsonian. 4. Brunette, Stephen A.(2007)”Forensic Evidence” Retrieved on Wednesday Jan. 2, 2008 from http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?id=757566#BIB 5. Breeze, Roger G. (2005). Microbial Forensics. London, UK: Elsevier Academic Press. 6. Norah Rudin, Ph.D. (2002). An Introduction to Forensic DNA Analysis. New York: CRC Press. 7. Safterstein, Richard.(2004).Criminalistics:An introduction to Forensic Science. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. 8. Salyers, Abigail A.(Jan. 2004).Microbial Forensics. Retrieved on December 16, 2007 from <http://www.actionbioscience.org/newfrontiers/salyerspaper.html> 9. Steven Lee, "Forensic DNA testing.” (2007).Retrieved on Wednesday Jan. 2, 2008. from <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?id=YB060160>