History of DNA in Biometrics
Biometric Identifiers are unique, distinct traits that describe an individual. They maybe Physiological that is concerning the shape and structure of the body or Behavioral that depend on the behavioral pattern of an individual. DNA typing belongs to the category of the physiological biometric identifiers.
Cracking the genetic code and revealing the DNA’s double-helix design by scientists like James Watson and Francis Crick gave an early insight into the significance of sequencing the four chemical, base components of the DNA. This code contains the information about the unique , genetic designs of individuals. These milestones in genetic research brought about the procedural beginning to the DNA fingerprinting process. The major use of DNA in biometrics is via DNA finger printing.
The DNA fingerprinting was discovered by Professor Sir Alec Jefferys, department of Genetics in the Leichester Lab in 1984. He quoted, “My life changed on Monday morning at 9:05 am, 10 September 1984. What emerged was the world’s first genetic fingerprinting.”
His discovery started a new trend in the field of biological identification. This multi-loci probe analysis by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis exposed genetic differences between the individuals.
DNA typing progressed eventually to usage of “Single Locus Variable Number of Tandem Repeat” (VNTR) loci by RFLP analysis. This analysis provided more sensitivity, increased specificity of species and paved a way for standard statistical interpretations when compared to the multi-loci approach. VNTR typing was taken up by many crime laboratories in the United States and was the power of the late 1980's through most of the 1990's.
The variations in DN...
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...y arrestee, whose has been accused either rightly or wrongly as a part of the normal booking procedure.
• In Germany the DNA collection is regulated by the criminal procedure rules and usage of DNA profiling for identification has been excluded.
As the national legislations operate so differently, a worldwide system to collect and analyse the DNA profiles from criminal databases seems to be a far-fetched dream currently.
Currently this DNA technology affects the lives of millions of people across the globe directly.
The acceptance of this method is still active and huge which is evident from the reports on the identification of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, of natural disasters as the Hurricane, Katrina and of recent wars like in former Yugoslavia and dictatorship in Argentina through DNA samples which attract and impress the people till today.
Using PCR and Gel Electrophoresis to Determine Genotype. In certain situations, it is necessary to identify DNA retrieved from a sample. When there is a small sample in need of identification, Polymerase Chain Reactions are used to multiply the DNA. in the sample in many identical samples.
The repeat segments are cut out of the DNA strand by a restrictive enzyme that acts like scissors and the resulting fragments are sorted out by electrophoresis (Saferstein 391). However, there are some drawbacks using the RFLP method in the forensic science community. The RFLP technique requires a large amount of DNA and must be of high quality and cannot be degraded (Jones). Forensic scientists and the law enforcement community determined a need for a DNA profiling method that could be used on smaller DNA samples. Thus, the RFLP technique has been almost entirely replaced by Polymerase chain reaction.
Familial DNA searching works by using the combined DNA index system (CODIS) to compare DNA samples taken from crime scenes to DNA profiles already recorded in the local, state, or national criminal DNA database. There are many indexes in the database; two of the largest are the offender index, a catalogue of DNA profiles from previously convicted felons, and the forensic index, a catalogue of DNA from crime-scenes. A DNA sample is run through the database by CODIS’ matching algorithm that searches the indexes against one another to generate matches according to how often base pairs, or “markers,” repeat in th...
seem inaccurate. More than half the states have a mandatory DNA testing of all people
DNA fingerprinting, or sometimes known as DNA typing, is isolating and developing images of sequences of DNA to evaluate the DNA in an individual’s cells. DNA fingerprinting today is used for many different things in many different areas of science. In forensic science, DNA typing can determine which person did which crime by using blood or skin left at a crime scene. In medical science, patients can find out who their siblings, parents, or children are by using DNA fingerprinting (webmd).
DNA in forensic science has been around for a long time. DNA has had help in solving almost every crime committed. There have been a lot of crimes where people are raped or murdered and the person who did it runs free. Scientists can collect the littlest item they see at the scene, such as a cigarette butt or coffee cup and check it for DNA. People have spent years in jail for a crime they didn’t commit till DNA testing came into effect. People are getting out of jail after 20 years for a crime they didn’t commit, cause of the DNA testing. DNA has helped medical researchers develop vaccines for disease causing microbe. DNA has become a standard tool of forensics in many murders and rapes.
Forensic genetics has other applications . The " fingerprint " DNA represents a valuable tool for forensic science . As is the case with an ordinary fingerprint genetic fingerprint is unique to each individual (except identical twins ) . The determination involves the observation of specific DNA sequences which can be obtained from extremely small tissue samples , hair, blood or eventually left at the scene . As Fifty microliters of blood, semen or five microliters of ten roots of hairs are enough , and nozzles secretions and cells from the fetus . In addition to its use in the capture of criminals , especially rapists , the genetic fingerprints can be used to establish family relationships . People involved in the conservation of species use them to be sure that captive breeding is among individuals who do not belong to the same family .
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is an acclaimed extraordinary discovery that has contributed great benefits in several fields throughout the world. DNA evidence is accounted for in the majority of cases presented in the criminal justice system. It is known as our very own unique genetic fingerprint; “a chromosome molecule which carries genetic coding unique to each person with the only exception of identical twins (that is why it is also called 'DNA fingerprinting ')” (Duhaime, n.d.). DNA is found in the nuclei of cells of nearly all living things.
"Using DNA to Solve Crimes." U.S. Department of Justice: National Institute of Justice. (September 9, 2014). Web. 29 May 2015.
"Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Fact Sheet." National Human Genome Research Institute. 10 Dec. 2007. National Institutes of Health. .
The age of genetic technology has arrived. Thanks to genetic technological advancements, medical practitioners, with the help of genetic profiling, will be able to better diagnose patients and design individual tailored treatments; doctors will be able to discern which medications and treatments will be most beneficial and produce the fewest adverse side effects. Rationally designed vaccines have been created to provide optimal protection against infections. Food scientists have hopes of genetically altering crops to increase food production, and therefore mitigate global hunger. Law enforcement officers find that their job is made easier through the advancement of forensics; forensics is yet another contribution of genetic technology. Doctors have the ability to identify “high-risk” babies before they are born, which enables them to be better prepared in the delivery room. Additionally, oncologists are able to improve survival rates of cancer patients by administering genetically engineered changes in malignant tumors; these changes result in an increased immune response by the individual. With more than fifty years of research, and billions of dollars, scientists have uncovered methods to improve and prolong human life and the possibilities offered by gene therapy and genetic technology are increasing daily.
By definition, “biometrics” (Woodward, Orlans, and Higgins, 2003) is the science of using biological properties to identify individuals; for example, fingerprints, retina scans, and voice recognition. We’ve all seen in the movies, how the heroes and the villains have used other’s fingerprints and voice patterns to get into the super, secret vault. While these ideas were fantasy many years ago, today biometrics are being used and you may not even know it.
Fingerprint usage dates back to the 1800s. Sir William Herschel used the prints as signatures on civil contracts, before they were found useful towards crimes (History of Fingerprints Timeline, 2012). A British surgeon, Dr. Henry Faulds, wrote about using fingerprints for personal identification. He first looked at prints on clay pottery and studied the ridges and patterns that they had made in the clay. In 1891, Juan Vucetich suggested to start fingerprinting criminals to keep the prints on record. The following year, Vucetich identified a print from a woman who killed her two sons. Investigators found her print and were able to correctly match her identity. Charles Darwin’s cousin, Sir Francis Galton, wrote and published the first book about fingerprints. He wrote about how every individual has a unique print by the certain traits of each fingerprint (History of Fingerprints, 2012). The popularity of fingerprints grew greatly in the United States in the early 1900s. Police departments and the FBI began to use the...
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a self-replicating molecule or material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent in chromosomes. It encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and many viruses. Simply put, DNA contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive and reproduce. The discovery and use of DNA has seen many changes and made great progress over many years. James Watson was a pioneer molecular biologist who is credited, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, with discovering the double helix structure of the DNA molecule. The three won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1962 for their work (Bagley, 2013). Scientist use the term “double helix” to describe DNA’s winding, two-stranded chemical structure. This shape looks much like a twisted ladder and gives the DNA the power to pass along biological instructions with great precision.
The purpose of biometrics is to identify a person based on the measure of his anatomical and physiological characteristics. This concept is not new, its history dates back to 14th century when Chinese used footprints to identify newborns and divorce records. In the 1880s, Henry Faulds, William Herschel and Francis Galton were the first who conceived the idea of using biometric identification to guaranty the security in civil areas, like using footprints for criminal identification and fingerprinting t...