Forensic Biology

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses that, whereas fingerprints and blood typing were once the most popular biological forensic tools, today DNA evidence is most widely used systematically to eliminate the possibility of guilt. The author points out that a lawyer in the O.J. Simpson case ridiculed the pathologist, who was one of the leading experts on DNA testing, for failing to follow proper protocol when handling DNA evidence. This represents a significant step in the progression of the use of DNA in forensics. The paper explains that forensic anthropology, also a part of the world of legal medicine, identifies and analyzes skeletons whose identity and circumstances of death are unknown or are questionable.

From the Paper:

"Although OJ had just flown to Chicago, he returned to Los Angeles and agreed to answer questions. Investigators then noticed a cut on a finger of his left hand. Forensics investigators found the crime scene to indicate that the killer, cut on his left hand, had trailed blood outside the gates. OJ told conflicting stories as to the way that his finger had been cut. Genetic tests were made on the droplets of blood found at the crime scene, which did not match either Nicole Brown Simpson's blood or Ron Goldman's blood. When OJ's blood was tested against it, it was found that there was better than a 99.9% chance that the blood was his. OJ's defense attorneys claimed that this blood was placed at the crime scene by malicious police officers."

More papers on Forensic Biology:

• Research Paper # 56089 : "Role of Race in Forensic Anthropology"
• Essay # 48805 : "Forensic Chemistry"
• Term Paper # 108818 : "Biological Trace Evidence"

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