Crime Scene Links Through DNA Evidence: The Practical Experience from Saskatchewan Casework

The social uses of DNA in the political realm or how politics constructs DNA technology in the fight against crime

“…A large part of this literature promotes the effectiveness of DNA and DNA databanks in investigations claiming they would allow for rapid identification of suspects, elimination of others as suspects, saving of time and money as well as the reduction of waiting periods for victims and their loved ones (Kuperus et al 2003, Asplen 2004, National Institute of Justice 2004. Accordingly, some of those studies make implicit or explicit pleas to incorporate the profiles of more and more people, from those guilty of violent offenses to those found guilty of crime against property (Cronan 2000-2001, Asplen 2004, House et al 2006.…”

Assessing DNA recovery from chewing gum

“…DNA can be recovered from forensic evidence and reference samples containing body fluids and hair roots-and even fingerprints that contain a much lower quantity of cellular material. 1 DNA-containing forensic evidence can be instrumental in helping to identify and convict or exonerate a suspect in a case. 1 After probative evidence containing biological fluids or materials is recovered from a crime scene, presumptive tests are used to identify the body fluids tentatively that are present.…”

“…1 DNA-containing forensic evidence can be instrumental in helping to identify and convict or exonerate a suspect in a case. 1 After probative evidence containing biological fluids or materials is recovered from a crime scene, presumptive tests are used to identify the body fluids tentatively that are present. Next, for probative samples, DNA is extracted using one of several published or commercial methods, and copied and quantified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).…”

Comparison of proteases in DNA extraction via quantitative polymerase chain reaction

“…Blood, semen, and saliva are commonly encoun-101 tered in forensic casework and used as DNA sources in medical 102 studies [11]. Because DNA has been recovered from feces and urine 103 in previous research, we evaluated DNA recovery from cells in 104 breastmilk and earwax [11][12][13][14]. Nuclear DNA is located in white 105 blood cells in blood samples, whereas the epithelial cells found 106 within semen, saliva, breastmilk, earwax, and fingerprint samples 107 provide the primary source of DNA in those samples [11][12][13][14].…”

“…94 In this study, we compared the effects of substituting different 95 proteases, including the modified kit proteinase K, unmodified pro-96 teinase K, bromelain, and papain, on the extraction of human DNA 97 from human blood, semen, buccal cells, breastmilk, and earwax 98 and low-template samples, including diluted samples of blood, 99 semen, and saliva; computer keyboard swabs; chewing gum; and 100 cigarette butts. Blood, semen, and saliva are commonly encoun-101 tered in forensic casework and used as DNA sources in medical 102 studies [11]. Because DNA has been recovered from feces and urine 103 in previous research, we evaluated DNA recovery from cells in 104 breastmilk and earwax [11][12][13][14].…”