Team+6

//__**D eoxyribo N ucleic A cid **__//

=== Team 6 would like to thank you in advance for visiting our DNA page. We’ve added the following information below to enhance your knowledge on the history of DNA. We also would like to enlighten you that DNA evidence is the strongest, most reliable identification evidence that exists in crime investigations. ===

**//__ SIGNIFICANCE, FEATURES, FUNCTIONS __//**
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 * DNA is one of the most significant parts of any living organism. It makes up the building blocks of all individual creatures and is directly responsible for all the traits of a creature. Color, size, shape, and any deformations that may occur are all a result of the unique DNA strands that are formed when the organism is developing.
 * A single strand of DNA features two base polymers, which are simply long strands of protein molecules, that run in different directions, but parallel to each other, never crossing. Between them are the mess of genetic material that creates the unique makeup of an individual.
 * DNA holds all the genetic material that creates the genome of an organism. When cells divide, DNA is read by RNA strands and then replicated. The needed DNA strands then fuse together to create a copy of the original DNA strand. When this is done, new cells are created, which will then build new tissues and so on. This is the most important function of DNA as it is what allows the body to heal itself over time and also is the process that takes place during pregnancy to create a new member of a species.
 *  DNA has a telltale shape that is taught as part of basic scientific knowledge in school. It is the double helix shape, which consists of two long strips, the polymers, which run parallel to and twist around each other. Connected to either end of these polymers are long strands of genetic chromosomes. In humans, there are 46 chromosomes that are made up of base pairs of various sugar and base pairings. These all combine to make a single strand of DNA, of which there are many in an organism.
 * The discovery of deoxyribonucleic acid, more commonly known as DNA, has been the foundation for much scientific work. This fundamental discovery was credited to James Watson and Francis Crick. Many people believe that a woman named Rosalind Franklin, also played a large role in the research.
 * [[image:http://www.xtimeline.com/__UserPic_Large/170191/evt120221195200192.jpg width="282" height="192"]][[image:http://cdn.dipity.com/uploads/events/ee6d66bba3b8ac41d78d5c6c3fa2f8a6_1M.png width="278" height="193"]]
 * In the early 1950s, the race to find the structure of DNA was in full swing. The search was being conducted at three different colleges. At the California Institute of Technology, Linus Pauling, one of the best physical chemists at that time, proposed his first DNA model, which was based more on common sense rather than mathematical reasoning.
 * Identical twins share the same DNA - but do not have identical DNA. When the egg splits into two halves to form identical twins, the DNA may not divide equally between the two cells. The basic concept is similar to when you cut an apple in half, the two halves may not look the same.

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 * DNA and Crime Solving:
 * There are two ways that DNA can be used to help solve crimes. When a suspect is identified, a DNA sample taken from them can be compared to evidence from the crime scene. The results can link the suspect to the crime or prove their innocence. When a suspect has not yet been identified, biological evidence from the crime scene can be analyzed and compared to offender profiles in DNA databases to help identify the perpetrator. Crime scene evidence can also be used to link other crime scenes through the use of DNA databases

> Step 1- Forensis laboratory receives crime scene evidence. > Step 2- Perform preliminary test. Do results reveal the pressence of a biological sample (blood, saliva, or semen)? > If no, return evidence to submitter. If yes, proceed to Step 3. > Step 3- Take cuttings or swabbings from evidence. > Step 4- Extract DNA from cuttings or swabbings. > Step 5- Amplify extracted DNA. > Step 6- Analyze amplified DNA using capillary electrophoresis. > Step 7- Review analyis results. Are results appropriate? > If no, At what point did the problem occur? Repeat process from that point forward (extraction, amplification, or analysis). If yes, proceed to step 8. > Step 8- Make allele calls and prepare report. > Step 9 - Return evidence to submitter.
 * The most popular DNA database is CODIS. CODIS is the Combined DNA Identification System. DNA profiles are put into CODIS and are compared against other profiles to determine DNA sample from a crime scene is a match with the CODIS profile.
 * __** Steps in the Analysis of DNA **__


 * ** Problems the come with DNA analyzing: **
 * || *** Public crime labs are extremely overwhelmed by backlogs of unanalyzed DNA samples. ||
 * In addition, these labs may be ill-equipped to handle the increasing influx of DNA samples and evidence. ||
 * More research is needed to develop faster methods for analyzing DNA evidence. ||
 * Professionals working in the criminal justice system need additional training and assistance in order to ensure the optimal use of DNA evidence to solve crimes and assist victims.

__**//REFRENCES//**__
[] [|http://www.ehow.com/about_4576823_what-is-dna.html#ixzz21qbZ0d5T] [] [|http://www.justice.gov/oig/special/0405/charts.htm#dna_analysis]

