Proteins And DNA As Macromolecules

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Proteins are considered as macromolecules because of the size of such a molecule. These proteins are combined in a long chain of a polymer that are put together by building blocks of amino acids and forms a polypeptide. There are 20 different amino acids that encode for proteins. Proteins are produced in the organelle called ribosomes.
Gene sequencing made use of different markers in the DNA to set-up the linkage map. These markers can be genes, RFLP’s (restriction fragment length polymorphism), STR’s (short tandem repeat). RFLP’s occur when a sequence change takes place in a restriction enzyme and thus changes the length. STR’s are tandem repeated sequences in the DNA and are usually 2-5 base pairs long. The number of repeats in each person is unique and thus gives it a polymorphic feature. Euchromatic DNA can now be sequenced with a 99.99% accuracy after the Human Genome Project decoded the whole genome [9].

2.2. Evidence at crime scene and their DNA

“Every contact leaves a trace”, a very well-known statement by Edmond Locard, known by most forensic scientist. Scientist have to search the scene of a crime for physical evidence of a suspect to link this person to the crime [1]. The intelligent use of your eyes and nose along with judgement and common sense will attribute to the findings of evidence at a crime scene [1].
To make evidence useful at a crime scene, it must be unique to a person [10]. This can then be used as conclusive evidence in a case and carries more weight as evidence [4]. Reconstructing the scene of crime will be helpful when examining the distribution of evidence. The time a material is adhered to another by transfer, named retention time, is also critical for evidence in a crime [10].
Physical fits and b...

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...aterial. The material that is being transferred will have a greater effect when it has a high adherence property [10].

Evidence that contains DNA can be used to produce a DNA profile [10]. These include hair, sweat, skin, saliva, semen, blood, urine, feces, and so forth [10].

2.3. Recovery of DNA from crime scene

When collecting evidence at a crime scene, it should be packaged separately and in a paper bag or envelope [10]. Each sample or evidence piece has to be clearly marked so that is can be recognized when it enters the laboratory. When you have to take a wet sample, it should firstly be dried and then packaged. Tests can be performed before hand to ensure the sample is truly what you think it is. Presumptive tests have been developed for blood, semen and saliva, to mention a few [10]. In Figure 3 is an illustration of the packaging used for evidence.

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