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In 1892 an amazing technique was discovered that would change the world of identifying criminals – Juan Vucetich was the man who started it all, and made it possible for fingerprint and DNA identification – it has become the tool for all forensic investigators.The pattern on the tip of our fingers closely resembling ridges, whorls, spirals and coils are unique to every individual. These prints are left behind on every surface we touch, for example, sweat or such substances like blood.

DNA Databases

There now exists several DNA databases around the world with some being private. The largest databases are all government controlled. In the United States they have the largest DNA database, which includes the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS – funded by the United States FBI and stores DNA profiles created by the federal state) and contains over 5 million records as from 2007. The UK maintains the National DNA Database (NDNAD, of a similar size despite UK’s smaller population. This is giving concern to civil liberties group, owing to its rate of growth, police there have a wide range of power enabling them to take samples and keep them even in the event of acquittal. Ireland does not itself as yet have a DNA database. The Irish government has aimed to implement this but controversy and differing opinions as well as major concerns about privacy infringements by the Irish public have made the process difficult. The Journal, provides some of the most insightful articles about genetic databases in Ireland. Read up further.

DNA identification is today’s up-to-the-minute method, and a vital tool used in the forensic investigator’s toolkit. This method is also known as DNA fingerprinting, and what it does is, it analyzes an individual’s DNA sample that creates an exclusive genetic record – this is then compared to the entire DNA which is accumulated from the crime scene evidence.

The method of acquiring fingerprints is quite simple really, and can be obtained from many different types of cells that are left behind like, any type of bodily secretion such as blood or sweat, in skin cells and hair – even in fingerprints. It only takes a small amount of DNA to produce a profile from DNA fingerprints – DNA identification methods just continue to develop and the advantage of all this is that DNA profiles hold much more information than the customary fingerprint (click here to fully understand what a DNA profile is and what it is used for).

One will find that most large states across the world use DNA fingerprinting as they would the traditional fingerprinting method – this produces watertight evidence of a suspect’s identity.

You will find that with every crime that is reported, DNA testing is always mentioned and forensic science can trace evidence from crimes to suspects or even convicted criminals’ DNA already on file.

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