DNA Testing

Peter D'Eustachio

Analysis of physical evidence left at the scene of a crime often plays a critical role in identifying the individuals who were involved in the crime. In many sexual assaults, this evidence is semen left by the perpetrator; in violent crimes it might be blood or bits of tissue from the victim or the assailant. Since 1985, an extensive effort has been made to develop laboratory procedures for DNA typing as a tool for linking such evidence to known individuals. DNA, the genetic material of humans and all other cellular organisms, consists of four small molecules, the nucleotide bases adenosine, guanosine, cytidine, and thymidine, assembled into a linear polymer. The human genome contains approximately two billion bases of DNA divided into 23 segments, called chromosomes. The order of the bases in a complete human genome has recently been determined. A person has two copies of this genome, one inherited from ...

Users without subscription are not able to see the full content on this title. Please, subscribe or login to access all content on this website.