Forensic scientists study the oral microbiome, the collective ecosystem of microbes in your mouth, on discarded chewing gum for potential use in forensic science. Continue reading Blow Your Own Bubble: Forensic Application of the Oral Microbiome

Biotechnologists take a step forward in forensic DNA phenotyping with the prediction of freckles. Continue reading Freckle On: Predicting Freckles from DNA

Can geneticists reconstruct the physical characteristics of an individual’s face from their DNA? Continue reading Building a “Face” from DNA

Traditionally, capillary electrophoresis is used to observe and detect STRs for the analysis of DNA profiles. Biotechnologists research massively parallel sequencing of STRs to increase throughput generating sequences for DNA profiles faster and more efficiently. Continue reading Back to the Future: Advances in DNA Analysis Using Massively Parallel Sequencing

DNA is used to obtain information about an individual’s identity from all types of materials to aid in investigations from missing persons to homicides. But what goes into how we get the DNA from sources found at a crime scene into generating a DNA profile? Continue reading Behind the Scenes: DNA Processing

Biochemists optimize direct PCR to cut down on sample manipulation and preparation time, obtaining full profiles with minimal effort. Continue reading Just a “Touch” of DNA Gives Full Identification of Skin Cell Donor