Forensic+studies

__**Forensic Science: **__ Forensic studies, a discipline where DNA detection and analysis is heavily scrutinized, has also had significant advances in its investigations from the application and use of Polymerase Chain reactions. Gender identification is a common problem found in forensics where victim’s gender cannot be determined. Using PCR, scientists can determine the size of the deletion in AMELY ( a homologous amelogenin gene used for gender assignation) genes by typing DNA samples for markers surrounding this gender-determining locus (Mitchell et al., 2006). RT PCR has become a well-recognized tool in forensic investigations. Improved amplification and quantification of human mtDNA was accomplished by monitoring the hypervariable region (HV1) using fluorogenic probes, and the same study was also extended to discriminate sex (Timken et al., 2005). PCR is also used to solve cold cases. A famous cold cases was The Gregory Affair. Four- year old Gregory Villemin was found dead in 1984, and his killers were never found although his parents were suspected. In 2009, the parents rquested re-examination of old evidence using new Forensic Technology. The Human Genome Project suggests that DNA testing is used to:
 * Compare suspects DNA to DNA found at the crime scene
 * Clear people who have been suspected or accused of crimes they did not commit
 * DNA paternity testing
 * Identify victims of mass casualties

__**DNA Hair Analysis:**__

Hair evidence is found frequently by crime scene investigators due to the ease at which most people and animals shed. Once the hair is collected for evidence processing, the majority of the forensic hair analysis is performed under a microscope. Evaluation through forensic microscopy reveals many characteristics of hair that aid in identifying its source. Hair is usually found at a crime scene during trace evidence collection. This may be done through vacuuming or using sections of tape to collect debris. Hair can also be collected from the victim or suspect for comparison. Approximately 25 hairs are needed for an appropriate sample. Pubic hair and hair from a person's head retain the most useful characteristics and are preferred for microscopic analysis.

Kent Onesemo (u3049020)