The Use of DNA in Solving Crimes

Also, the time that is used to process these results of the DNA has reduced significantly. When using the DNA to solve a criminal matter, certain elements are critical and have to be looked at keenly. These elements include the blood samples, semen in rape victims, hair and nails that are found within the crime scene. When these elements have a 99% with that of the suspect, it will be a clear indication that it was him or her that committed the crime. Due to the effectiveness of the using DNA to solve crimes, a government agency such as the FBI has embraced it in all of its investigations. Most people live in fear of being victims of these crimes because of the effects that result from them.

Some of the effects include loss of property through theft and robbery, physical injury or even death when one is assaulted and emotional damage (Butler 2015). Due to these problems and their effect on human beings, there is the need to come up with ways that will be used to solve the crimes. Various ways have been developed to deal with different crimes. The use of DNA is one of the ways that can be used to solve crimes. The rise in technology has been significant in the use of DNA to solve crimes. Through the advances made in technology, forensic scientists have gained the capability of analyzing smaller biological samples to come up with a DNA sample. Certain issues have to be considered when comparing the DNA of the victim or the suspect to that which was found in the crime scene.

The primary consideration is that every laboratory should ensure that they have their already known biological samples which can be used for comparison. These samples that have already been developed are known as reference samples. According to Machado & Silva (2012), one of these elements is fingerprints. In a crimes scene, the suspects will mostly use their hand when carrying out their actions. When using their hand, there is a high chance that it might leave the fingerprints on the places they touched. When a crime occurs, the investigator should secure the crime scene so that other individual who might be innocent cannot gain access and get themselves into trouble. This approach will ensure that innocent individual cannot touch the objects within the crime scene and be termed as the suspect.

This hair can serve as a good element that will be used to get the real suspect of a particular crime (Ley, & Jankowski 2012). When the crime investigators visit a crime scene, they should be on the lookout for any hair on the ground. In case some pieces of hair are found, they should be taken for investigation. In the event a suspect has been arrested, some hair should be taken from him or her. The hair will be taken for analysis in the laboratory to identify whether it has some matching genes with the one that has picked from the crime scene. These nails act as a good element that can show the DNA of an individual. In a crime scene, small pieces of nails can be collected.

These nails should be used by the crime scene investigators to match with those of the suspect. If the DNA of these nails matches the suspect will have to be classified as the main person who committed that specific crime. Most government institutions are mandated with the role of dealing with crimes such as the FBI has employed the use of DNA to deal with crimes due to its efficiency as well as benefits that have been associated with it (Wilson, McClure & Weisburd 2010). Also, technology has made it easier for forensics to analyze smaller samples to come up with their DNA. Forensics can be able to develop samples to be used for reference for any biological evidence. These samples have to be stored in a conducive environment so that they cannot spoil.