DNA fingerprinting on trial

Article Abstract:

The genetic information unique to each individual is carried in the sequence of deoxyribonucleotide units that make up deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). A DNA fingerprint is the pattern of bands produced when DNA fragments, characteristics of an individual's genetic makeup, are separated out on a gel. A match of DNA band patterns from two separate samples suggests that the samples are from the same person. Recent court decisions have challenged the adequacy of DNA fingerprinting as legal evidence. In a case of child sexual molestation, a DNA fingerprint prepared from a semen sample on a tissue found at the crime scene was compared to a DNA fingerprint prepared from the defendant's blood. The speed at which DNA migrates across the gel is affected by several factors such as the degree of degradation of the sample and contaminants. Band shifting can be corrected by a non-polymorphic marker. This is a marker for a DNA fragment, that is the same in all people, and is used to estimate the size of the band shift between the two samples. Although the application of one marker produced a match between the semen and blood samples, the application of another marker did not confirm this match, and the case was withdrawn. Improvements in the techniques of DNA fingerprinting must be made before this test can be of forensic use. The National Academy of Science was recently granted funds for a 14-month study on DNA Technology in Forensic Science. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Innovations, Evaluation, Genetic aspects, DNA, Forensic scientists, Fingerprints, Forensic genetics

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Judge backs technique

Article Abstract:

A ruling on the admissibility of DNA fingerprinting for use as forensic evidence in the courtroom has been made in New York. The case involved the trial of a man accused of murdering a pregnant woman and her daughter. The defendant testified that a blood-stain that was found on his wristwatch was his own. This was not substantiated by the results of DNA identification tests performed by Lifecodes Corporation, a company specializing in forensic and paternity testing. The prosecution additionally asserted that the test results indicated that the blood-stain belonged to the victim. However, the reliability of the test results came into question. It was argued that the procedures used in obtaining data did not meet the standards considered acceptable by the scientific community and that the results were therefore inadmissible as evidence. Twelve weeks of testimony by several experts and roughly 5,000 pages of evidence were generated. The court ruled to accept DNA fingerprinting in theory for both identifying categories i.e. negative and positive identifications. However, in this particular case, the evidence that supported the assertion that the blood on the wristwatch was from the murder victim was not allowed. As a part of the ruling, the court advised that pre-trial hearings should become standard procedure in determining if the methods of testing used in DNA fingerprinting in each individual case meet accepted scientific standards prior to the use of the test results as evidence.

Cases, Evidence (Law), Forensic DNA testing, Lifecodes Corp.

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Science ahead of the law

Article Abstract:

The issue of the rights of an unborn child is further complicated by two cases that are presently in the courts. The issues are based on the argument as to when life begins. The first case involves a couple in Tennessee who fertilized seven eggs (pre-embryos) that are frozen for storage. The eggs were fertilized with sperm in-vitro, meaning in tissue culture. The couple from which the eggs and sperm were obtained is suing for divorce and custody of these eggs. The wife wants to be able to implant the eggs, if she wants to become pregnant. The husband says that he has a right not to become the father. The second case involves a lawsuit filed by a pregnant inmate of a prison in Missouri who says that the state is illegally imprisoning her fetus and that the fetus should be set free. These two cases are waiting decisions which will set precedents in the rights of the unborn child.

Fetus, Pregnant women, Pregnancy, Civil rights, Embryo transplantation, Women criminals

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