Forensic Biochemistry

Chapter 17
 What is Forensic Biochemistry?

• Or Criminalistics
• is when biochemistry is applied for forensic
investigations.
• Important in identification of body fluid and their
chemical composition, and in DNA fingerprinting
 What is Biochemistry
• It is a unique discipline and it combines chemistry and biology
• Closely related to the discipline of molecular biology involving the study of
life processes at the molecular level, and together they provide a chemical
and physical basis to understand all aspects affecting biology from viruses to
humans
 Molecular Biology
• Molecular biology /məˈlɛkjʊlər/ is a branch of biology that concerns
the molecular basis of biological activity between biomolecules in the various
systems of a cell, including the interactions between DNA, RNA, proteins
and their biosynthesis, as well as the regulation of these interactions
 Deoxyribonucleotide (DNA) Analysis
• Or deoxyribonucleic acid
• Is the fundamental building block for an individual’s entire genetic makeup.
It is a component of virtually every cell in the human body.
• A powerful tool because each person's DNA is different from every other
individual’s, except for identical twins.
• Maybe applied in homicide cases, mass graves/disasters, tracking viral
transmissions, paternity testing, missing persons or forensic entomology.
 DNA METHODS
DNA Fingerprinting
• a technique used especially for Webster)
identification (as for forensic purposes)
by extracting and identifying the base-
pair pattern in an individual's DNA —
called also DNA typing (Merriam

DNA from skeletal remains

 Using DNA as Evidence
• Exclusion vs Inclusion
• If there is no match there is an exclusion- the suspect is INNOCENT
• If there is a match there is n inclusion – one now has to del w/probabilities.
 DNA Technologies used in Forensic
Investigations
• Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLPs) –a technique for
analyzing the variable lengths of DNA fragments that results from digesting
DNA sample w/a special kind of enzyme.
• Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs)- are short sequences of
non-coding DNA which are repeated over and over, but different people
have diff number of repeats.
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)- is used to identify tiny amounts of
DNA when its quite degraded.
• Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis- is used to evaluate specific regions
(loci) within nuclear DNA.
• Y-chromosomes Analysis – is passed directly from father to son. This is
uselful in tracing relationships among males or for analyzing biological
evidence involving multiple male contributors.
• Mitochondrial DNA Analysis- can be used to examine the DNA from
samples that cannot be analyzed by RLFP or STR.
 Sources of DNA Evidence
Evidence Possible Location of DNA on Sources of DNA
the Evidence
Baseball bat or similar weapon Handle, end Sweat, skin, blood, tissue
Hat, bandanna or mask Inside Sweat, hair, dandruff
Eyeglasses Nose or ear, lens Sweat, skin
Dirty laundry Surface area Blood, sweat, semen
Used cigarette Cigarette butt Saliva
Finger nail Scrapings Blood, sweat, tissue
Bite mark Person’s skin or clothing saliva
Used condom Inside/outside surface Semen, vaginal or rectal cells
 DNA Evidence Collection and Preservation
• Following the protocols, determine the most probative pieces of evidence
and to establish priorities

Contamination of DNA Evidence

• This should be avoided, sensitive, extra care must be taken
Transportation of Evidence
• Important to keep in dry and at room temperature. Once the evidence has been
secured in paperbags or envelopes, it should be sealed, labeled and transported in a
way that ensures proper identification of where it was found and proper chain of
custody.
 Steps in DNA Analysis
• Obtain biological specimen
• Extract DNA
• Target specific STRs on chromosomes
• Use Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• Visualize products from PCR
Thank You