DNA Profiling

            There are many different ways to classify criminals and capture identities, but the classification I wanted to learn about today was DNA profiling. DNA Profiling seemed the most interesting and the science behind it is incredible. Blueprints are the foundation and making of buildings, which is similar to DNA and our foundation. DNA is essentially the blueprint of our life. Forensic scientists can identify criminals in crimes and check for family relation in immigration or disputed paternity. DNA profiling is a technique that has advanced quite rapidly over the years and has helped forensic scientists better their work.

            Many people such as myself, do not know much about what DNA really is and how one can use it to identify a person's relation to the situation. According to Lerner and Wilmoth, "DNA is the material within every cell of the body and represents the blueprint of life. It allows physical traits to be passed on from one generation to the next"(1). The majority of the human genome is actually very similar to all ethnic populations, but there is a slight difference in each and everyone's genetic makeup. Thus the unique DNA pattern. Forensic scientists use DNA profiling to acquit suspects involved in serious crimes such as rape and murder and have used it to convict individuals of crimes years after the investigation has closed (Lerner and Wilmoth 1). Scientists used to require the size of ink in a pen of DNA to identify someone, over the last few decades we have advanced to identify someone with a touch of saliva. This technique of forensics has significantly improved solved crimes.

            When one acquires DNA from a suspect or whomever, it goes through a process called DNA typing. This process is where the DNA is extracted from a biological sample which is then analyzed through one of many different tests. The object of this process is to create a unique pattern to that individual so future samples can link this individual to the crime being investigated. The current analysis method is called STR (short tandem repeat)analysis, in which the samples are repeatedly analyzed in shorter sequences (Lerner and Wilmoth 1). Unfortunately, this method does have its drawbacks, if very little DNA is recovered, it can lead to incorrect conclusions due to lack of amplification to the small sample of DNA.

            Forensic science is a very unique science to study and investigate different interests relating to criminal activity or civil law, it doesn't cease to fascinate me with this technique. DNA profiling is not the only classification but in blood splatter analysis, it is a very simple and easy process. Every cell, tissue, or organ in a person's body contains the same DNA pattern, so the United States law enforcement and armed forces has developed databases to collect information related to an individual's DNA identity. This great technique not only helps with murder cases and family relations, but it also helps us identify missing people and the deceased.

Works Cited

"DNA profiling." World of Forensic Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Science In Context. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.