NCJ Number
137508
Editor(s)
M A Farley,
J J Harrington
Date Published
1991
Length
266 pages
Annotation
This book, written for nonscientists as well as those with a technical background, examines the legal and scientific issues surrounding the use of DNA print technology in the crime laboratory and the courtroom.
Abstract
Following an introductory chapter highlighting milestones in the development of DNA fingerprinting, several national experts trace the underlying theory and historical development of the technology. The methodologies used in both the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and polymerese chain reaction (PCR) techniques are described. Two other contributors examine the effects of environmental contaminants on the evidence and the statistical analysis of population genetics information as it relates to the potential for this technology to identify the donor of a specific sample. Several chapters present the defense and prosecution perspectives on the use of DNA fingerprinting. Other issues explored here include: proposed guidelines for the use of DNA technology in the crime laboratory, legal standards for admissibility of DNA-related evidence, and the validation and interpretation of audiograms.