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...Secondary DNA Transference

NonoBadDog said:
That is really interesting. I guess some polish up is needed on DNA investigation.
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Right. To me the lesson here is that nothing is 100% foolproof. DNA in concept may be pretty close, but then there's still the matter of handling, and so on.
 
That is pretty scary. It also strikes me as something that will only get worse as technology improves. As technology improves we can detect smaller and smaller traces of DNA. My guess is the smaller the amount of DNA the more likely it was secondary transferal.

Makes me wonder how easy secondary transferal through the handling of money would be.
 
radcen said:
As Forensic Analysis Techniques Improve, Experts Spotlight Risks of Secondary DNA Transference

As Forensic Analysis Techniques Improve, Experts Spotlight Risks of Secondary DNA Transference ? The Innocence Project
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I read a similar story, I think in snail mail Mother Jones. Some guy that worked in the police laboratory had his DNA show up at a crime scene, when likely it was somehow transferred there in the laboratory. Years ago, I suppose before everybody wore gloves.

This story shows how simple mistakes can be made with horrible potential outcomes.
 
BrewerBob said:
That is pretty scary. It also strikes me as something that will only get worse as technology improves. As technology improves we can detect smaller and smaller traces of DNA. My guess is the smaller the amount of DNA the more likely it was secondary transferal.

Makes me wonder how easy secondary transferal through the handling of money would be.
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Henry David said:
I read a similar story, I think in snail mail Mother Jones. Some guy that worked in the police laboratory had his DNA show up at a crime scene, when likely it was somehow transferred there in the laboratory. Years ago, I suppose before everybody wore gloves.

This story shows how simple mistakes can be made with horrible potential outcomes.
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As DNA becomes more and more widely accepted as infallible, juries are going to convict without thinking and not consider aspects like this.
 
BrewerBob said:
That is pretty scary. It also strikes me as something that will only get worse as technology improves. As technology improves we can detect smaller and smaller traces of DNA. My guess is the smaller the amount of DNA the more likely it was secondary transferal.

Makes me wonder how easy secondary transferal through the handling of money would be.
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That's a really good question.
 
radcen said:
As DNA becomes more and more widely accepted as infallible, juries are going to convict without thinking and not consider aspects like this.
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Our current legal system doesn't really want juries to think.
 
BrewerBob said:
That is pretty scary. It also strikes me as something that will only get worse as technology improves. As technology improves we can detect smaller and smaller traces of DNA. My guess is the smaller the amount of DNA the more likely it was secondary transferal.

Makes me wonder how easy secondary transferal through the handling of money would be.
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It could give some investigator reason to stop investigating when they get DNA results and still get it wrong.

They used to test money for drugs and seize it if it came up positive. They stopped doing that because of so much money testing positive for drugs. Money is dirty and nasty.
 
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