Molecular Biology in Forensics
Molecular biology has enhanced the capability of the forensic scientist to characterize biological evidence to the point where it is feasible to analyze minuscule samples and achieve a high degree of individualization. Although DNA has only been used in criminal cases for the last 10 years, forensic science has embraced the use of DNA molecular biology tools more than an other scientific field. Forensic molecular biology has made a lot of discoveries involving DNA techniques but, there are still a number of places where improvements can be made.
Forensic molecular biology involves the study of human and mitochondrial DNA and emphasizes on techniques such as DNA profiling and repetitive DNA in the human genome. DNA is very useful in forensics because, it can be used to link suspects to crime scenes or victims. DNA can be recovered from many different sources. Nuclear DNA can be found in blood, semen, saliva, skin cells, and hair. Mitochondrial DNA can be found in bone and teeth, which can help if a body was buried years ago.
There are many techniques that forensic molecular biologists can use to study DNA. Polymerase chain reaction or PCR is a technique used to amplify a segment of DNA over several orders of magnitude. Another technique used is capillary electrophoresis or CE. CE is an analytical technique that seperates ions based on their mobility on a certain voltage. There two techniques are used together to develop a DNA profile that can be used to identify a suspect or a victim.
Improvements can be made when it comes to the technology of forensic molecular biology. Technology is ever-changing and the molecular biologists need to be able to embrace it. Being vigilant and embracing new techniques can enhance their abilities to analyze more challenging DNA, such as trace samples termed touch DNA.
Forensic molecular biology is fascinating because scientists can take minute samples of DNA and determine the DNA profile to identify someone. There are many techniques that can be used to collect and study DNA and hopefully in another few years, there will be even more.
Forensic molecular biology involves the study of human and mitochondrial DNA and emphasizes on techniques such as DNA profiling and repetitive DNA in the human genome. DNA is very useful in forensics because, it can be used to link suspects to crime scenes or victims. DNA can be recovered from many different sources. Nuclear DNA can be found in blood, semen, saliva, skin cells, and hair. Mitochondrial DNA can be found in bone and teeth, which can help if a body was buried years ago.
There are many techniques that forensic molecular biologists can use to study DNA. Polymerase chain reaction or PCR is a technique used to amplify a segment of DNA over several orders of magnitude. Another technique used is capillary electrophoresis or CE. CE is an analytical technique that seperates ions based on their mobility on a certain voltage. There two techniques are used together to develop a DNA profile that can be used to identify a suspect or a victim.
Improvements can be made when it comes to the technology of forensic molecular biology. Technology is ever-changing and the molecular biologists need to be able to embrace it. Being vigilant and embracing new techniques can enhance their abilities to analyze more challenging DNA, such as trace samples termed touch DNA.
Forensic molecular biology is fascinating because scientists can take minute samples of DNA and determine the DNA profile to identify someone. There are many techniques that can be used to collect and study DNA and hopefully in another few years, there will be even more.
Kayser, M., & De Knijff, P. (2011). Improving human forensics through advances in genetics, genomics and molecular biology. Nature reviews. Genetics, 12(3), 179.
This is a decent review for the overall involvement of molecular biology on the field of Forensic studies. As someone who is interested in forensics and is currently a forensic chemistry major I can see how all of these fit into what forensics deals with today. DNA is probably the largest or at least most well known gifts that forensics has received and use for investigation. It only makes since to say as the field of molecular biology goes further and makes new discovery's that the field of forensics can also grow.
ReplyDeleteLastly I will say yes molecular biology is important for forensics, but forensics uses many sciences for their purposes. To make it simple chemistry is required for toxicology, physics for ballistics, even criminology or psychology for reconstructing what occurred on scene.
Being a Forensic Chemistry major, I found your blog very interesting. It is crazy to learn that DNA has only been used in criminal cases for only 10 years. When I think about crime scenes, all I can think about is that the DNA and everything it can tell you. It excites me because technology is growing more and more advanced every day. It makes you wonder what we will be using at crime scenes in the next 10 years.
ReplyDeleteNice start.
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