Forensic Science Module Essay Example for Free

Forensic Science Module Essay 1. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid refers to the molecules that carry our genetic information. DNA can be found in blood, skin cells, tissues, muscles, bones, teeth, hair, and saliva. 2. Mitochondrial DNA is DNA that can be inherited from one’s mother and is found outside of the cell nucleus. 3. CODIS is a software program that contains the DNA profiles of convicted offenders, missing persons, crime scene evidence, and other sources. CODIS works by attempting to match the samples of DNA based on the thirteen different regions or loci within the nuclear DNA. 4. Complimentary base patterns are pairs that always pair up together. Complimentary base patters are so important because the four bases make up DNA 5. RFLP is described as the method in which DNA is studied, by using an enzyme to cut DNA strands into different sections. Limitations to this process include the fact that it requires a large sample of DNA and samples that carry dirt or mold usually will not work good with this type of test. 1. I believe DNA has had and continues to have such an impact on forensic science because a DNA sample can help figure out who was involved in a crime and even who was the person who committed the crime. 2. I believe some of the challenges that come with collecting DNA evidence could include the DNA sample potentially becoming damaged, by factors even if includes natural causes such as dirt, dust, and mold. Some ways that I could overcome these potential challenges include trying to collect more DNA samples that are not ruined or damaged you can also attempt to clean the DNA if possible. 3. The difference between mitochondria DNA and nuclear DNA is that mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the offspring’s mother while in nuclear DNA it is mixed and matched so it is different. I would choose nuclear DNA to work with because it is more complex which means it is less likely for any two people to have the same pattern while mitochondrial DNA has less variability from one to another. 4. If I had to analyze DNA samples I would choose the polymerase chain reaction to analyze the DNA. PCR creates strands of DNA from small samples of DNA at crime scenes. I would choose this technique because for one it is inexpensive, does not take very long, and can be successful with just even a small piece of the DNA sample. 5. The expert’s testimony can be dismissed by questioning its credibility, education,