This is a picture of what DNA fingerprinting looks like when being analyzed. This is how a DNA annalist compares the DNA of a crime scene to the DNA of multiple suspects in an investigation. This is a very effective way of narrowing down suspects in an investigation.
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How is DNA used to identify individuals and aid in criminal investigations? DNA is our genetic code that is matched to only one person. Everyone's genetic code is different and that is what makes us, us. The two types of DNA are nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA. Nuclear is found in cell nucleuses, and mitochondrial is found in, you guessed it, the mitochondria. Another valuable use of DNA is DNA fingerprinting. DNA fingerprinting is a technique for identifying individuals using portions of DNA that produce a pattern of bands that are unique for every individual. This is useful because it can be compared to the DNA of a suspect and find the criminal. DNA is used to identify individuals and aid in finding criminals because it is used in various ways to take our personal genetic code and run it through gov’t databases in order to match it to DNA found at a crime scene. |
What are the ethical implications of using a database like CODIS?CODIS stands for combined index DNA system, CODIS is helpful because it allows gov’t authorities to keep DNA from crime scenes, rape victims, assaults, etc. and keep them in a digital database for future reference. This can be used in an ethical implication to help catch a rapist that has been on a raping spree around an area and the DNA found from multiple victims can be compared to help to see if it was the same criminal and catch him/her.
What is the Innocence Project and why was it created? The innocence project is an organization that exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. It was created in order to get justice to those who were wrongly convicted, and get them the settlements ($$) that they deserve.
Reflection: My thoughts at the beginning of this unit were sort of curious on how everybody has their own DNA and it is different than everyone else. My thoughts at the end of the unit were sort of questioning on if it is invasion of privacy by the gov't to keep our DNA. I was left wondering if anyone else is concerned for their privacy of their DNA.