DNA and Criminal Justice: Home

DNA is basically the building directions for any living thing.  According to the Oxford Dictionary, it is a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information. 

Familial DNA searches utilize DNA databases for genetic information to identify relatives of a suspect. If a search for an exact match to a DNA sample proves fruitless, a familial DNA search may bring back a partial match. A partial match may point to a sibling, parent, cousin, or other blood relative through DNA identification.

Key Terms:

• DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid. It is the genetic information inside the cells of the body

• The three primary types of DNA testing utilized in genealogy include:

  • Autosomal DNA, which assesses DNA inherited from both parents across all chromosomes, excluding the sex chromosomes.
  • Y-DNA, which focuses exclusively on the Y chromosome passed down from the father and applies only to males.
  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which examines DNA from the mitochondria, inherited solely from the mother and shared with all descendants, regardless of gender.
• Forensic DNA Phenotyping (FDP) - the set of observable characteristics of an individual
• Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), aka forensic genetic genealogy - a technique that uses DNA analysis and genealogy to help solve crimes
• Familial DNA searching - a method of searching a database of DNA profiles to identify potential relatives of an unknown person