Investigative DNA analysis of two-person mixed crime scene trace in a murder case

In the mid-1990s, the crime scene toolkit was revolutionised by the introduction of DNA-based analyses such as the polymerase chain reaction, low copy number DNA analysis, short-tandem repeat typing, pulse-field gel electrophoresis and variable number tandem repeat. Since then, methodological advances in other disciplines, especially molecular microbial ecology, can now be adapted for cutting-edge applications in forensic contexts. Despite several studies and discussions, there is, however, currently very little evidence of these techniques adoption at the contemporary crime scene. Consequently, this article discusses some of the popular omics and their current and potential exploitations in the forensic ecogenomics of body decomposition in a crime scene. Thus, together with published supportive findings and discourse, knowledge gaps are identified. These then justify the need for more comprehensive, directed, concerted and global research towards state-of-the-art microecophysiology method application and/or adaptation for subsequent successful exploitations in this additional context of microbial forensics.

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Knowledge on DNA Success Rates to Optimize the DNA Analysis Process: From Crime Scene to Laboratory

Journal of Forensic Sciences ◽

10.1111/1556-4029.13102 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 1055-1061 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Anna A. Mapes ◽

Ate D. Kloosterman ◽

Vincent van Marion ◽

Christianne J. de Poot

Keyword(s):

Dna Analysis ◽

Crime Scene ◽

Success Rates ◽

Analysis Process

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Empirical approaches to improving the use of DNA in crime scene investigative practice

International Journal of Police Science & Management ◽

10.1177/1461355716688921 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 54-60

Author(s):

Paul A Smith ◽

Simon Mound ◽

Natasha Brown ◽

Roxy Leonard ◽

Carolyn Lovell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Analysis ◽

Service Providers ◽

Crime Scene ◽

Dna Profiling ◽

Research Project ◽

Collaborative Project ◽

Forensic Service ◽

Collaborative Team ◽

Empirical Approaches ◽

Crime Scenes

This article reports on a collaborative project that explored the targeted use of swabbing evidence sources which, up until now, have not been routinely recovered or utilised for DNA analysis. All genres of the forensic portfolio have undergone significant changes driven by economic, political and technological influencers, which have resulted in an array of interpretations on its frontline delivery, often based on local requirements. The approach reported here pertains to a research project bringing together a collaborative team of researchers, representing practitioners and academics, working in conjunction with forensic service providers. The project reviewed the process of swabbing glove marks at crime scenes, comparing the methods used with DNA profiling outcomes. The findings showed significant benefits in regards to DNA outcomes, providing six detections over a four-month period that were attributable to the swabbing of the glove marks. Furthermore, the study provided key data to guide practice and crime scene methods to meet new operational requirements.

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DNA analysis of biological material on perforating bullets and crime scene reconstruction

Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series ◽

10.1016/j.fsigss.2009.09.020 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 213-214

Author(s):

Samuel T.G. Ferreira ◽

Aluisio Trindade-Filho ◽

Karla A. Paula ◽

Cláudia R. Mendes ◽

Flávia A. Maia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Material ◽

Dna Analysis ◽

Crime Scene ◽

Scene Reconstruction ◽

Crime Scene Reconstruction

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Innocent until proven guilty: Privacy-preserving search over a central CODIS criminal database from the field

10.1101/2020.06.22.164095 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jacob A. Blindenbach ◽

Karthik A. Jagadeesh ◽

Gill Bejerano ◽

David J. Wu

Keyword(s):

Justice System ◽

Dna Analysis ◽

Crime Scene ◽

The United States ◽

Dna Index ◽

Dna Profile ◽

Cryptographic Algorithm ◽

Forensic Samples ◽

Dna Profiles ◽

Database Match

AbstractThe presumption of innocence (i.e., the principle that one is considered innocent until proven guilty) is a cornerstone of the criminal justice system in many countries, including the United States. DNA analysis is an important tool for criminal investigations1. In the U.S. alone, it has already aided in over half a million investigations using the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and associated DNA databases2. CODIS includes DNA profiles of crime scene forensic samples, convicted offenders, missing persons and more. The CODIS framework is currently used by over 50 other countries3 including much of Europe, Canada, China and more. During investigations, DNA samples can be collected from multiple individuals who may have had access to, or were found near a crime scene, in the hope of finding a single criminal match4. Controversially, CODIS samples are sometimes retained from adults and juveniles despite not yielding any database match4–6. Here we introduce a cryptographic algorithm that finds any and all matches of a person’s DNA profile against a CODIS database without revealing anything about the person’s profile to the database provider. With our protocol, matches are immediately identified as before; however, individuals who do not match anything in the database retain their full privacy. Our novel algorithm runs in 40 seconds on a CODIS database of 1,000,000 entries, enabling its use to privately screen potentially-innocent suspects even in the field.

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