Chapter 1 Flashcards
What are the three components of the criminal justice system?
- Law Enforcement
- Scientific Analysis
- Legal Proceedings
What is the Innocence Project?
It promotes cases where physical evidence is available for post-conviction DNA testing and can help demonstrate innocence
Who launched the Innocence Project?
Defense attorneys Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld
How unique is the human genome?
It is unique to each individual, with the exception of identical twins
How is the genome passed down?
It is inherited from parents
How can we make sure DNA information holds up in court?
DNA typing must be performed efficiently and reproducibly
Why do we probe subsets of genetic variation?
To differentiate between individuals (statistical probabilities of a random match are used)
Why do current standard DNA tests NOT look at genes?
Genes provide little/no information about race, predisposed to disease, or phenotypical information (eye color, height, hair color)
What are the three categories of steps in DNA Sample Processing?
- Biology
- Technology
- Genetics
Biology (DNA Sample Processing)
- DNA Extraction
- DNA Quantitation
- PCR Amplification of Multiple STR Markers
Technology (DNA Sample Processing)
- Separation and Detection of PCR Products (STR Alleles)
- Sample Genotype Determination
Genetics (DNA Sample Processing)
- Comparison of sample genotype to other sample results
- If match occurs, comparison of DNA profile to population databases
- Generation of Case report with probability of random match
Why does DNA testing require a reference sample?
A DNA profile by itself is fairly useless because it has no context; DNA analysis for identity works only by comparison (you need a reference sample)
Examples of reference sample comparison
- Crime scene evidence compared to suspect(s) (Forensic Case)
- Child compared to Alleged Father (Paternity Test)
- Victim’s remains compared to biological relative (Mass disaster ID)
