Abstract
DNA analysis is the preferred and often considered to be one of the most reliable method in forensics and criminal investigation. Forensic DNA typing is utilised in a wide variety of cases for proving the guilt as well as to prove innocence. From lifting the exhibits at the crime scene or recovering the pieces of evidence from the victim or suspect, their transportation, laboratory analysis, and reporting while maintaining the chain of custody are the tasks which are taken care of by the investigating agency and forensic DNA analyst. All these steps should be free from contamination and cross-contamination. This chapter throws light on some of the critical aspects of forensic DNA analysis, along with a few real case studies to showcase the importance of forensic DNA examination. With practice, precaution, and precision, from the inception (origin of the DNA evidence) to the end (reporting and deposition in the court), the optimum potential of DNA evidence from the crime scene to conviction is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Alghafri R, Pajnič IZ, Zupanc T, Balažic J, Shrivastava P (2018) Rapidly mutating Y-STR analyses of compromised forensic samples. Int J Legal Med 132:397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-017-1600-z
Allen RW, Pogemiller J, Joslin J, Gulick M, Pritchard J (2008) Identification through typing of DNA recovered from touch transfer evidence: parameters affecting yield of recovered human DNA. J Forensic Identif 58(1):33–41
Arnaud CH (2017) Thirty years of DNA forensics: How DNA has revolutionized criminal investigations. Chem Eng News 95:16. Available from: https://cen.acs.org/articles/95/i37/Thirty-years-DNA-forensics-DNA.html
Ashcroft J, Daniels DJ, Hart SV (2002) Using DNA to solve cold cases. U.S. Department of justice office of justice programs. Available from: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/194197.pdf
Badiye A, Kapoor N, Menezes RG (2019) Chain of Custody (Chain of Evidence). In: StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island (FL). Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551677/
Baxter E Jr (2015) Complete crime scene investigation handbook. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL
Butler JM (2012) DNA extraction methods. In: Advanced topics in forensic DNA typing: methodology. Elsevier, Waltham, MA
Daly DJ, Murphy C, McDermott SD (2012) The transfer of touch DNA from hands to glass, fabric and wood. Forensic Sci Int Genet 6:41–46
Dash HR, Shrivastava P, Das S (2020) Principles and practices of DNA analysis: a laboratory manual for forensic DNA typing. Springer, New York, NY
Goodwin W, Linacre A, Hadi S (2007) An introduction to forensic genetics. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, New York, NY
Goray M et al (2019) DNA transfer: DNA acquired by gloves during casework examinations. Forensic Sci Int Genet 38:167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.10.018
Harris W (2001) How DNA evidence works. HowStuffWorks.com. Available from: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/dna-evidence.htm. Accessed 13 April 2020
Hodge C (2017) The shifting science of DNA in the courtroom. CNN Health. Available from: https://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/09/health/dna-technology-forensic-evidence/index.html
Jeffreys AJ et al (1985a) Hypervariable minisatellite regions in human DNA. Nature 314:67–73
Jeffreys AJ et al (1985b) Positive identification of an immigration test-case using human DNA fingerprints. Nature 317:818–819
Jeffreys AJ et al (1985c) Individual-specific fingerprints of human DNA. Nature 316:76–79
Kaye H (2007) The science of DNA identification: from the laboratory to the courtroom (and beyond). Minnesota J Law Sci Technol 8:4. Available from: https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/mjlst/vol8/iss2/4/
Kapoor N, Badiye A (2015a) Sex differences in the thumbprint ridge density in a central Indian population. Egypt J Forensic Sci 5:23–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejfs.2014.05.001
Kapoor N, Badiye A (2015b) An analysis of whorl patterns for determination of hand. J Forensic Leg Med 32:42–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2015.02.015
Kapoor N, Badiye A (2015c) Digital dermatoglyphics: a study on muslim population from India. Egypt J Forensic Sci 5:90–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejfs.2014.08.001
Kleypas DA, Badiye A (2020) Evidence collection. In: StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island (FL). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441852/
Köchl S, Niederstätter H, Parson W (2005) DNA extraction and quantitation of forensic samples using the phenol-chloroform method and real-time PCR. In: Forensic DNA typing protocols. Springer, New York, NY, pp 13–29
Lee HC, Ladd C (2001) Preservation and collection of biological evidence. Croat Med J 42(3):225–228
Locard E (1930) Te analysis of dust traces. Part 1. Am J Police Sci 1:276–298
Lynch M (2003) God’s signature: DNA profiling, the new gold standard in forensic science. Endeavour 27(2):93–97
Magalhães T, Dinis-Oliveira RJ, Silva B, Corte-Real F, Nuno VD (2015) Biological evidence management for DNA analysis in cases of sexual assault. Sci World J 2015:365674. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/365674. PMID: 26587562; PMCID: PMC4637504
National Research Council (US) Committee on DNA Forensic Science (1996) 6. DNA Evidence in the Legal System. In: An update. the evaluation of forensic DNA evidence. National Academies Press, Washington, DC. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232607/
Phipps M, Petricevic S (2007) The tendency of individuals to transfer DNA to handled items. Forensic Sci Int 168:162–168
Polley D, Mickiewicz P, Vaughn M, Miller T, Warburton R, Komonski D, Kantautas C, Reid B, Frappier R, Newman J (2006) An investigation of DNA recovery from firearms and cartridge cases. Can Soc Forensic Sci J 39(4):217–228
Shrivastava P, Jain T, Trivedi VB (2016) DNA fingerprinting: a substantial and imperative aid to forensic investigation. Eur J Forensic Sci 3(3):23–30
de Villiers WP (2014) Fingerprint comparison evidence has been under sustained attack in the United States of America for the last number of years: Is the critique with regard to reliability sufficiently penetrating to warrant the exclusion of this valuable evidence? Int J Law Crime Justice 42:54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlcj.2014.01.004
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Badiye, A., Kapoor, N., Shrivastava, P. (2020). Forensic DNA Evidence: From Crime Scene to Conviction. In: Shrivastava, P., Dash, H.R., Lorente, J.A., Imam, J. (eds) Forensic DNA Typing: Principles, Applications and Advancements . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6655-4_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6655-4_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-15-6654-7
Online ISBN: 978-981-15-6655-4
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)