Forensic Biology

Forensic Biology

What is Forensic Biology?

Forensic biology is a discipline that focuses on the performance of serological and DNA examinations for purposes of individualization and identification. Materials analyzed is not only limited to blood but also includes: saliva collected at crime scenes or from articles of physical evidence and semen (Gefrides & Welch, 2011). These bodily fluids are typically generated in the process of violent crimes commission such as a hit and run fatalities homicides, assaults, and rape. The aim is usually to identify the type of material present and then, later on, to determine the link of the material(s) to a particular person through DNA. The forensic biology intends to provide the criminal justice system with a timely scientific analysis of biological data.

Importance of Serology to Forensic Biology

In forensic biology, serology particularly refers to the screening of evidence for body fluids. The identification of body fluids such as saliva, urine, semen, and blood, is generally performed on evidentiary items before DNA examination. Forensic serology plays the role of connecting victims and suspects to each other and the scene of crime, exclusion or inclusion of potential suspects, weapon identification, and crime scene establishment (Rana, 2018). Body fluid identification is attained through an approach of presumptive and confirmatory testing. Presumptive testing refers to the most sensitive testing, usually particular to the body fluid under examination, and can be quickly performed. It enables analysts to narrow down the number of areas or items to keep on focus. Confirmatory testing is usually particular to body fluid under examination and also specific in species. However, the testing time can be longer than the presumptive testing.

Most Important Development Stage of Forensic Biology

DNA polymorphisms led to the idea of DNA fingerprinting in 1985. Through illustrations from Jeffrey and collogues, DNA polymorphism could be utilized in the production of individual DNA profiles. Courts became interested in the idea of possibilities of identification of a person through DNA patterns. In 1987, for the first time, DNA fingerprint was presented and accepted as evidence in court. This juncture enabled a more sophisticated approach in tissue comparison. How Stages of Forensic Biology are used in the Clearance and or Conviction of Criminals

Protein polymorphism has established classification into clinical blood group systems.

DNA fingerprints enabled inclusion and exclusion of persons of interests and accused because the possibilities of a match of one person’s DNA fingerprint to another person was one in every one hundred thousand to one in every one million persons. Evidence-based DNA has explicitly been helpful to the police in identifying potential suspects or persons of interest in crime (Li et al., 2015). DNA fingerprint samples have proven reliable long after the commission of a crime. Protein polymorphism has categorized blood into four clinical blood groups. Techniques from biochemistry have enabled partial sequencing of amino acids and purification. Protein sequencing data was utilized in gene isolation in the 1990s.

Conclusion

Recent technological and scientific advancement within the field of forensic biology has put in place a huge impact in the capture and conviction of criminals. The science of forensic has stretched today with several molecular discoveries and innovative advances in technology. Refinement and rigorous testing are now seeing the utilization of forensic materials in courts as acceptable evidence.

References

Gefrides, L., & Welch, K. (2011). Forensic biology: serology and DNA. The judicial laboratory handbook procedures and practice (pp. 15-50). Humana Press.

Li, R., Norman, S., & Schober, J. (2015). Forensic biology. CRC Press.

Rana, A. K. (2018). The future of forensic biology. Journal of Biomedicine, 3, 13-18.