DNA Analysis in Forensic Biology

Answer

DNA Analysis in Forensic Biology

DNA has become instrumental in criminology because it is used to identify potential criminals and exonerate wrongly accused persons. In the present scenario, an individual has spent ten years in prison. Therefore, the DNA identification and analysis should consider the necessary steps to increase the acceptability of the findings. With the delivery of physical evidence to the forensic lab, the identification process of DNA would commence and includes extraction, which refers to the process of releasing the DNA from the cell (Murphy, 2018). The next step entails quantitation, referring to the determination of the amount of DNA the analysis has, then amplification that refers to the process of producing multiple copies of the DNA for characterization purposes. The separation process then follows and involves separating the amplified DNA product to assist in the consequent identification (Hirst et al., 2019). The next step requires examination and interpretation to compare the DNA evidence from the known and unknown samples qualitatively and quantitatively.

Identification of the DNA evidence leads to the process of analysis which must also be precise since it can lead to the exoneration of the individual who has been in prison for ten years, like in the present scenario. The body fluid is located using the screening test that is probably a confirmatory one. The DNA is then extracted, which then leads to the next step of short tandem repeat amplification. This step leads the analyst to the next phase of amplicon separation, which is considered the black box procedure in which samples are introduced to the equipment for high-end analysis (Murphy, 2018). The reactions on these processes are essential in DNA profiling, which makes it possible to make conclusions in line with the known and unknown samples. The interpretation and reliability of such information require a quality assurance that tentatively involves review of the report for technical accuracy as presented by the analyst.

Despite the reliability of DNA testing in criminology, several challenges can result to the inadmissibility of the analysis in court. Such problems include the adequacy of the population or samples used during the identification and analysis of the DNA. In most cases, DNA analysis and profiling involve cross-examining the known and the unknown to help make conclusions that can exonerate or lead to legal sentencing (Diggans & Leproust, 2019). However, where the population is inadequate, the analysis may be inadmissible in court. Besides, the testing methods can also create the same problem, primarily where the courts can determine some level of relapse. The role of human error during the analysis and interpretation of the test result remains another challenge in the credibility of DNA results (Hirst et al., 2019). Notwithstanding, a perceived lack of standards in the analysis and alleged unfairness to the criminal defendant can make the report inadmissible.

When matching tissues in DNA testing and analysis, the process involves extracting cells from the donor and the recipient, which are then manipulated to amplify specific regions on the chromosomes. The extracted fragments then undergo critical analysis that provides for the comparison of polymorphisms in the HLA. However, utilizing different DNA testing methods is essential for quality and accuracy. The most common methods used in DNA testing include dot blots of allelic sequence information, mitochondrial sequence determination, restriction fragment polymorphisms analysis, and short tandem repeats (Diggans & Leproust, 2019). Despite the many methods, some can attract significant preference over the others. Because of the sensitivity of the results, it is crucial to consider different methods to ensure that the analyst achieves credible and reliable results that can be admissible in courts, used in body identification, and track blood relatives. This makes it mandatory to compare the different methods.

Although DNA tests are often useful in forensic uses, they are also crucial in paternity testing. The tests are carried out by comparing blood types of tested parties, which comprises the isolation of blood sera from antigen-challenged individuals. Except in identical twins, the DNA results of every individual should be unique. In essence, children obtain half of their genetic composition from their biological mother then subsequently get the other half from their biological father (Mortera et al., 2016). Among other forms of paternity testing, DNA testing is the most accurate, with the accuracy often ranging at 99.9 percent. Typically, paternity testing steps include collecting the samples, sending to the laboratory then conducting lab check. After that, DNA extraction takes place, which then leads to profiling and correlation to identify similar and dissimilar genetic markers.

The significance of a paternity test in a court case depends on its acceptance as a definitive method for determining the biological relationship between a possible father and a child (Robson, 2016). Among the legal reasons that can make a paternity test significant in a court case include child support and custody, inheritance rights, child benefits, immigration, and adoption complications. Primarily, these are only possible since DNA paternity tests are more reliable compared to other tests. In some cases, mothers can indicate on their children's birth certificate the names of people they want to become fathers even if they are not the biological fathers (Robson, 2016). Therefore, in such cases, paternity tests become essential and a legal establishment of the father's identity, which makes this a proper means of solving conflicts and child misunderstandings.