| Home | Free Articles for Your Site | Submit an Article | Advertise | Link to Us | Search | Contact Us |
This site is an archive of old articles

    SEARCH ARTICLES
    Custom Search


vertical line

Article Surfing Archive



DNA Evidence - History And Status - Articles Surfing

When Gregor Mendel published his studies of inherited characteristics of pea plants in 1866, he probably didn't know he was starting a sequence of events that would end in the 1987 conviction of someone in the United States based on DNA evidence. This article discusses the history and current status of the use of DNA evidence in the United States.

How DNA Evidence is Gathered and Used

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a nucleic acid consisting of two chains of nucleotides bonded together in a double helix, and is responsible for determining the inherited characteristics of each person. Historically, DNA could only be extracted reliably from clean specimens of blood or other body fluids. Due to recent scientific developments, DNA evidence can be extracted and amplified from a variety of samples, including licked stamps, dental floss, used razors, hair, and even sweaty t-shirts.

The DNA evidence is taken back to the laboratory where the sample is cleaned and prepared. The DNA is cut into small, manageable pieces using enzymes, and then it is categorized by size using a process known as 'gel electrophoresis.' We all share some 99.9% of our DNA, but there are specific regions in our DNA that differ. In certain areas, given sequences of the bases adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine repeat themselves. The sequences, known as variable number tandem repeats, or VNTRs, create a unique personal blueprint that can be used as DNA evidence.

The VNTRs are marked with a radioactive compound that aids in being able to make an x-ray image of the DNA sequence. These images, which are the DNA evidence ultimately presented in courts, can then be compared to the DNA sample collected from a suspect.

The DNA sample from the crime scene and the suspect are compared at a number of different VNTRs, exponentially increasing the probability that a match between the two specimens is not an error. Statistically an innocent person would be more likely to win the lottery than to be inaccurately convicted using DNA evidence, assuming that the proper number of sequences is analyzed.

Where DNA Evidence Stands Now

The first conviction made using DNA evidence occurred in Portland, Oregon in 1987. Juries seemed hesitant at first to accept DNA evidence as conclusive, perhaps because of the complicated process - which has been extensively simplified for this article - that lawyers and specialists had to explain to the jurors. The process in its infancy left much room for defense attorneys to insert doubt into the cases against their clients. However, as science continued to develop, DNA evidence and technology gained a foothold in the United States' courts.

DNA evidence and associated technologies were thrust into the limelight when a man by the name of O.J. Simpson was accused of killing his ex-wife and her associate in 1995. DNA evidence also played a large role in the case of the disappearance of child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey.

Just as DNA evidence has been used to convict people of crimes, innocent people wrongly accused have also been freed based on DNA evidence analyzed after the fact. Ten people have been freed from death row in the United States when DNA technology was finally made available to analyze their cases.

At the time of this writing, several states, prisons, and communities are developing programs to create DNA databases, especially from those considered dangerous felons or high risk criminals. The future of DNA evidence in the United States lies in the hands of legislatures, courts, and responsible DNA labs.

Submitted by:

Nick Smith

Nick Smith is an internet marketer with http://www.10xmarketing.com ' More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. Visit http://www.genetree.com/product/dna-detective.asp for more information about DNA evidence and services.



        RELATED SITES






https://articlesurfing.org/legal2/dna_evidence_history_and_status.html

Copyright © 1995 - Photius Coutsoukis (All Rights Reserved).










ARTICLE CATEGORIES

Aging
Arts and Crafts
Auto and Trucks
Automotive
Business
Business and Finance
Cancer Survival
Career
Classifieds
Computers and Internet
Computers and Technology
Cooking
Culture
Education
Education #2
Entertainment
Etiquette
Family
Finances
Food and Drink
Food and Drink B
Gadgets and Gizmos
Gardening
Health
Hobbies
Home Improvement
Home Management
Humor
Internet
Jobs
Kids and Teens
Learning Languages
Leadership
Legal
Legal B
Marketing
Marketing B
Medical Business
Medicines and Remedies
Music and Movies
Online Business
Opinions
Parenting
Parenting B
Pets
Pets and Animals
Poetry
Politics
Politics and Government
Real Estate
Recreation
Recreation and Sports
Science
Self Help
Self Improvement
Short Stories
Site Promotion
Society
Sports
Travel and Leisure
Travel Part B
Web Development
Wellness, Fitness and Diet
World Affairs
Writing
Writing B