Chapter 10. Forensic DNA

Forensic DNA
  • DNA Analysis

  • Paternity Tests

  • Genomic Pictures

  • Final Considerations

In 1892, fingerprints began to be used in personal identification. The discovery that an individual's fingerprint is a unique characteristic (i.e., no other person would have the same pattern in the population) stimulated their use for identification purposes. Fingerprints are so unique that not even identical twins possess the same fingerprints.

The judicial system has been able to convict a great number of suspects from fingerprints left on surfaces such as furniture, telephones, and glass. On the other hand, a comparable number of individuals have also been ...

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