A DNA profile is generated with the help of the DNA is that is left behind by the skin cells. This is known as the Touch DNA. Even though the samples that are used in this case are very small but the Touch DNA can be retrieved with the help of a technique that is launched recently and is known as the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) which will take small samples of the DNA and make similar millions of copies within just two to three days . As the collection of fingerprints is a difficult task, and there is a chance that the identical fingerprints can be near to 64 billion to one. Now, only 10 percent of the fingerprints are now considered of an appropriate quality can be used by the court from the crime scene .
Since obtaining fingerprints from the weapons or the investigation scenes is very complicated, the collection of DNA from the crime scene is better and beneficial in terms of the authentic evidence. The DNA is collected in two ways – the swab method and the cut method. The swab method uses the investigation method of investigating the hard surfaces like the wood, plastic and the glass whereas the cut method uses the soft items for the sampling purposes like the clothing and fabrics that can possibly have traces of the sweat and the skin cells .
The Touch DNA information is then entered into CODIS which stands for Combined DNA Index System. This is an FBI’s software system which provides information regarding the criminal justice, DNA database and also supports the software system that is used to operate all the databases .
References
Campbell, D. (2013, July 03). New fingerprint technology that means evidence can no longer be wiped away . Retrieved Jan 18, 2017, from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/science/shortcuts/2013/jul/03/new-fingerprint-technology-evidence-not-wiped
FBI . (2015, Feb). Retrieved Jan 18, 2017, from Frequently Asked Questions on CODIS and NDIS: https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/codis/codis-and-ndis-fact-sheet
Warrington, D. (2010, Dec 27). Touch DNA. Retrieved Jan 18, 2017, from Forensic Mag: http://www.forensicmag.com/article/2010/12/touch-dna
