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Welcome It is the intent of this website to acts as a learning resource for DNA and its application in forensic science. As technology has progressed it has opened the door to a relatively new field in forensic science known as forensic biology. This field deals with all aspect of any biological material left behind at a crime scene. This is mostly that of DNA extracted from the various bodily fluids, hair, tissue and bone. We know from Locard’s exchange principle that when two objects come into contact with each other each item leaves some trace on the other and this plays a critical role in being able to link suspects to a crime scene. Forensic DNA is now considered the most utilized field in forensics with many laboratories expanding their lab to accommodate the high demand for the testing of DNA evidence. The ultimate goal of any forensic scientist is to be able to relate science to the law and DNA has become a major part of this because it is often the most incriminating evidence to be used in a court. DNA has become the foremost field in forensics due to its ability to be extracted from many various sources with very low quantity and sample integrity needed. With television series such as CSI putting a burden on the forensic community to locate and collect evidence at a crime scene it has put extreme pressure on the forensic biologist not only to find and test DNA left at a crime scene but also to educate the jury of the type of evidence and its value. Forensic DNA for the most part has undertaken this challenge with numerous research projects to fully unravel the issues with DNA and its application to forensics. It is my hope that the information provided by the website and the links contained within that you the reader would establish a greater understanding and respect to DNA and its use in forensics. The information provided on this website does not cover all the areas of both forensic and DNA but rather a mere introduction into the basic techniques and background required to better understand. You will not become a DNA expert after reading this site however it may open your eyes to new areas and expand your knowledge within this field |
