FORENSIC SCIENCES

Significance of Degraded DNA in Forensic Cases

Abstract

The DNA is mainly the inherited substance in humans and almost all other beings. The DNA is not only significant in shaping up a human body but in contemporary times also plays a significant role in deducing and solving numerous cases, courtesy the advanced technology developed by the forensic scientists. This research paper intends to build understanding of DNA, the basics of the composition of DNA, and its role in shaping and forming the human body. Moreover, the paper also discusses the main difference between a DNA in proper condition in the human body and the degraded or inhibited DNA, mainly found in crime scenes and the degradation caused due to different environmental factors. The paper further discusses the tools utilized for the extraction, experimentation and study of degraded DNA, besides developing understanding of degraded DNA; and finally, numerous cases have been discussed in this paper, which were eventually resolved and settled with the sheer examination of the DNA in forensic cases, found in crime scenes and other instances; to get to the real conclusion and the culprit in the case. Most of all, the paper discusses the significance and application of the tools used for analyzing the degraded DNA in forensic cases.

Table of Contents

Introduction1

DNA1

Inhibited or Degraded DNA3

Tools for Analyzing Degraded DNA4

Forensic Cases6

Conclusion9

References11

Significance of Degraded DNA in Forensic Cases

Introduction

The universe comprises of infinite specks and organisms. The atom, molecule, speck, and organism have a certain composition that originates the real and final shape. When it comes to human beings and other living organisms, the basic element that develops the eventual form and the outlook, of a being is the DNA. It's the DNA which decides how many fingers will person posses, the color of his eyes, the color of his hair and much more. In primitive times, when the understanding and technology regarding the DNA and that too degraded DNA was not that developed, the forensic cases were solved on mere witnesses rather than solid proofs. However, ever since the technology has developed, it has evolved the whole scenario of the crime investigation. Now, the DNA identification plays a significant role in helping the department not only to catch the culprit but also in acquitting the innocent ones (Watson, 2004).

DNA

The DNA, also known as deoxyribonucleic acid is mainly the inherited and transmitted substance in humans and almost all other beings. One of the most amazing characteristics of DNA is that, it is alike in almost every cell of the human body. A DNA can be referred as two different types, depending upon its location in a cell, for example, if a DNA is found in the nucleus, it will be referred as the nuclear DNA; likewise, if it is found in the mitochondria it will be referred as mitochondrial DNA.

The base pairs are developed when the DNA bases couple up with each other to form a unit. More over the bases are also joined to a molecule of sugar ...