Touch DNA
Touch DNA is used to process an item someone has touched. We are always shedding skin cells when we touch something. We leave skin cells behind. Scientists can use skin cells left by criminals to develop a DNA profile. Scientists can take a small sample of skin cells and make as many copies of the DNA as they need to perform their analysis. This process provides a highly specific genetic portrait of the person profiled. The whole process takes only takes a few days . This is much less time than is needed for traditional DNA processing. The right samples of DNA must be collected. This method can be used on samples taken from guns, steering wheels, cell phones, glass, plastic, wood, cloth, fabric, etc.
This article is important because it can impact the world of crime in a positive light. With touch DNA, we can now more accurately identify suspects of a crime scene based on the skin cells they have shed. Not only can we identify skin cells but also materials such as guns, cell phones, and clothing. This way, all suspects of a crime can be identified.
The only criticism I have about the article is that many aspects should be explained more thoroughly. It is a bit brief on the methods of examination.
7 comments:
Ivan presented the article in a very easy to understand way. He kept his response right to the point so, while reading his response, I could easily follow what he was saying. I also liked how he focused on the main points the article was trying to present to the reader. I found in the article he chose there was a lot of random information and Ivan did a great job dissecting what was actually important. Lastly, I like how Ivan chose an article of appropriate length that was actually interesting. It seems like such a common sense idea of using skin cells I was surprised no one had utilized it before.
A way in which the article could have been better is if Ivan said the name of the process of using dead skin cells to make copies for DNA tests (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Since he didn’t say what the process was called, I got the impression it wasn’t a justified method, but after reading the article, I was convinced it was. Another way this response could be improved is if he says how the samples are supposed to be collected. He states, “The right samples of DNA must be collected” but he doesn’t elaborate on that statement.
I was really impressed with this article as a whole. I’m glad Ivan chose this article because it is important information for future investigations. The fact this method can clearly identify people is very useful because then it will be a lot easier to convict people and make sure the right guy goes to jail.
I think Ivan’s summary was very relevant to forensic science, and was easily comprehensible to me. Once I saw it, it grabbed my attention so I wanted to read more and more. In addition, I like the way Ivan explains this topic in depth, yet still manages to grab my attention. Nice work! Another good thing about this article is that I can relate to it. You see, my cell phone has a touch screen (usually covered in fingerprints) so I understand what forensic scientists have to deal with on a regular basis – lots and lots of fingerprints. However, I don’t want to hurt Ivan’s feelings, but I'm afraid there are some flaws with this summary. First of all, I wish he could have explained the polymerase chain reaction in more detail and explained how effective this method really is. Does it truly put guilty criminals behind bars for good? Also, I would prefer to know the actual time it takes for skin cell DNA to be processed instead of “just a few days”. “A few” is not specific enough.
In closing, I would like to end my comment by saying that this summary was one of the best ones I had read in months. Keep up the fantastic work!
One aspect of this review that I thought was particularly well presented was explaining how the DNA profile can be made. It was good to understand where the DNA comes from and how commonly it is left behind. Another aspect is that the information was given in a very simplistic and comprehensible way. It is very easy to understand the process the way it is presented. Another aspect that I thought was well presented was that Ivan mentioned the types of things that the DNA can be collected from. It was good to know what types of things that DNA can be taken from.
This review could have been made better if there was a little more bulk to it. This review could benefit from a little more fact and information. Also this review could benefit from example of this process. This review could use more details about this process and times that it has been used. Also it could use some information on if this process has been successful at finding suspects and criminals.
One aspect that impressed me after reading the review is that there are many objects that DNA can be collected from and processed. It was interesting to learn that almost anything can hold DNA and that it can be collected.
I Thought Ivan did a very good job in reviewing this article because he was able to give the reader a understanding of the article without overfacing them with information.I liked the fact that Ivan pointed out how easy it is to leave DNA on something, even the keyboard I am typing on now. I also liked how Ivan listed the different things that can lead to tracing DNA, it was quite riveting.
Two things I think this article needed more depth in explaining some of the gathering techniques of the DNA. I would have also liked to have seen a real life example of this.
One thing that really impressed me about this article was how many parts of your body can be linked to your DNA, it was quite surprising.
I thought that Ivan wrote a well – written review because anyone who would have read this review would understand certain aspects of forensic science that were discussed in the article. I liked when he mentioned how a DNA profile can be made. Another example of what I think Ivan presented well was how DNA can be collected. It was interesting that DNA can be taken from many different items found at a crime scene.
Although the review was well – written, I think that the review would have been better if it contained more information. I think that if the review contained examples and more details than this would benefit the review. After reading this article, it was interesting that many objects can contain DNA.
One part that was well presented is where Ivan was talking about the skin cells and how the forensic scientists can develop a DNA profile from them. Also well presented is where he talked about the analysis of the DNA and what the forensic scientists need to do to start it. The third part that was well presented is when Ivan talked about where DNA can be lifted. One part of that could be improved is going into more depth about the touch DNA and the whole process of it. Another area that could be improved is giving a few examples about who the investigators have caught because of the touch DNA. I find it to be amazing that DNA the forensic scientists are able to lift DNA from almost anywhere and any surface.
I think that Ivan did a great job with this article, he summed it up great. I think that he picked out some great points from the article. Also i think that this was a great choice in general it really shows how easy it is to obtain a DNA sample and reproduce it in to multiple copies. Also i think that he did a great job getting right to the point of the article.
However there are a few ways to make this article better. I don't think that he gave enough credit to the article its self, i felt that this was sort of boot-leg but after taking a look at the original i realized it was not. Also i think that Ivan could have put a little more bulk into this article.
For the most part though i think that Ivan did a great job. I find it to be very interesting how more and more ways of obtaining DNA are being discovered.
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