DNA in Forensics

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Recommended: The structure of dna

The origins of DNA were first discovered during 1857 by Gregor Mendel the "Father of Genetics”, whom was performing an experiment of genetics with pea plants, and would provide a basic foundation towards DNA and Genetics. Friedrich Miescher and Richard Altmann in 1869 were also part of the first people to discover DNA. While testing some sperm of a salmon, they discover a strange substance that they would name as "nuclein", which is known as DNA. This new form of "nuclein" (DNA) would be found to only exist in chromosomes. Frederick Griffith, a researcher, found the basis on DNA, from a molecule inheritance experiment involving mice and two types of pneumonia. His findings were that, when virulent disease is heated up (to kill) and is injected into a mouse, the mouse survives. Unlike the second mouse that has been injected with non-virulent disease and virulent disease (that had been heated and killed) is killed. This would be caused by an inheritance of molecule (transformation) of virulent bacteria passing on a characteristic to the non-virulent. DNA findings would continue to be tested and tried to better understand how DNA works.

Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) is a chromosome found in the nucleus of a cell, which is a double-stranded helix (similar to a twisted ladder). DNA is made up of four bases called adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C), that is always based in pairs of A with T and G with C. The four bases of A, C, G, and T were discovered by Phoebus Levene in 1929, which linked it to the string of nucleotide units through phosphate-sugar-base (groups). As mention in Ananya Mandal research paper, Levene thought the chain connection with the bases is repeated in a fix order that make up the DNA molecu...

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...stody." TheFreeDictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. <>.

Wikipedia contributors, . N.p.. Web. 10 Dec 2013. .

Norrgard, Karen. "Forensics, DNA Fingerprinting, and CODIS." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, n.d. Web. 010 Dec. 2013. .

Wittmeyer, Jacqui. "CAN DNA DEMAND A VERDICT?" Can DNA Demand a Verdict? University of Utah, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2013. .

"Forensic DNA Analysis." Marshall University Forensic Science Center. State of West Virginia, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. .

"Learn: DNA Profiling" Unit 3 Trace Evidence, Lesson 7 from SCI030: Forensic Science Course

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