This book emphasises the advantages and limitations of various DNA techniques used in the analysis of forensic evidence. The authors discuss forensic DNA issues from both a scientific and a legal perspective, and they present the material in a manner understandable by professionals in the legal system, forensic science, and law enforcement.

Buy it

The study of ancient DNA (aDNA) is a young field, which has been revolutionised by the application of polymerase chain reaction technology, and interest is growing rapidly. Includes the study of aDNA from human remains.

Buy it

This book shows how breakthroughs in DNA testing are impacting on criminal investigations. It explains the principles and science behind DNA testing and shows how it has helped solve some of the most puzzling criminal cases and been used to discredit eyewitness accounts and physical evidence found at the crime scene. In addition to covering the state-of-the-art techniques in DNA interpretation, the authors cover the evolution of DNA fingerprinting from Sir Alec Jeffrey’s discovery and its use in the Pitchfork case, to the recent attempts to trace deadly anthrax strains and rogue genetically-modified corn to their source through genetic markers.
The authors examine how courts evaluate evidence, the ethical implications of cloning, genetic modifications and the death penalty. They also include a collection of fascinating stories of investigators who use traces of DNA from baseball caps, bones, clothes and even cat fur to solve seemingly impossible cases.

Buy it

This book discusses separate but related areas of law of concern to both medical and family lawyers, as well as to the medical profession generally; namely the legal problems arising out of HIV testing and AIDS and the technique of DNA profiling.

Buy it

Because capillary electrophoresis (CE) is driving the automation of manual and semi-manual techniques, conserves precious samples and minimises the use of hazardous organic chemicals, it constitutes a powerful new methodology for the clinical laboratory. In this book, Peterson and Mohammed, along with a panel of leading basic and clinical investigators, review those CE methods that are now replacing many routine serum and blood tests in clinical and forensic laboratories. Major areas reviewed include the coating of columns; the analysis of serum, urine and CSF proteins and paraproteins; abnormal haemoglobins and haemoglobin Alc; peptides and amino and organic acids; drugs of abuse; viral load; and short tandem repeats (STR). The methods discussed include capillary zone, micellar, electrokinetic, capillary gel, and non-aqueous electrophoresis. The authors show how a variety of detection methods (UV-visible, fluorescence ad MS) can be used in conjunction with CE to detect a broad array of analytes, ranging from serum proteins to PCR products to drugs of forensic importance.

Buy it

This book explains fully the scientific basis of DNA fingerprinting and profiling. Many current applications of this technique, including paternity testing and DNA typing as a means of identifying crime suspects are described. The book also expertly covers crucial legal and ethical issues.

Buy it

This book was the first to be published in the field, and remains a good introduction to the topic. DNA Fingerprinting is a practical guide to basic principles and laboratory methods as applied to a variety of fields including forensic analysis, paternity testing, medical diagnostics, animal and plant sciences and wildlife poaching.

Buy it

This book is about the OJ Simpson trial and thousands of DNA cases heard each year. It is a clear, comprehensive and succinct guide to the scientific and legal issues surrounding forensic DNA testing. It also explains the complex technology and testimony of DNA in terms that the layman can understand. It is written by a DNA expert who has been testifying about forensic and paternity DNA testing since 1986.

Buy it

This book reflects practical approaches to answering a variety of biological and medical questions using DNA fingerprinting and genetic profiling in a broad sense that also includes statistical evaluation of the data. Helpful notes accompany the protocols. (OUT OF PRINT)

This book is in glossary format. The jargon of DNA technology has been translated into simple dialogue and familiar analogies, stripped down to the bare essentials. This book is relevant to anyone from the specialist to the uninitiated.

Beginning with the biology of DNA and the history behind DNA discoveries, Alcamo goes on to consider the applications of DNA technology in fields as diverse as disease diagnosis, gene therapy and the use of genetically engineered organisms in agriculture. One chapter is devoted to 'Medical Forensics and DNA Sleuthing' and describes the techniques used in DNA profiling, both in criminal or disaster investigations and in archaeology. This book is aimed at people with a non-specialist background, particularly A-level and first year undergraduate students, and is a good introduction to the topic. Throughout the text, there are many illustrations, definitions and self-test questions. Each section is summarised, and has a list of sources for further reading.

Buy it

The book covers PCR-based test systems, the now widely used STR typing systems (complete with details of both manual and automated detection systems), repeat unit mapping (MVR), direct-phase minisequencing, capillary electrophoresis, and direct blotting. Also fully discussed: the recovery of DNA from a wide range of sample types (blood, semen, skeletal remains, and saliva), species testing, sex determination, and mitochondrial DNA testing.

Buy it

Forensic DNA Technology examines both the legal and scientific issues relating to the implementation of DNA technology in both the crime laboratory and the courtroom.

Buy it

This book examines the science of current DNA typing and methods by focussing on the biology and technology behind STR markers and the most common forensic DNA analysis methods used today. The approach is suitable for newcomers to the subject, but technical enough to be of use to practising forensic scientists. The book is divided into two sections: biology, in which the author describes STRs and other markers, PCR, sample collection as well as issues of contamination and degradation; and technology, in which the author gives details of the separation methods, detection methods, imaging systems, laboratory validation procedures, automation and the use of DNA databases. A short section at the end deals with the issues of DNA testing in high-profile cases.

Buy it

Research into DNA and the development of powerful techniques to produce DNA profiles has now enabled experts to appear in court and give compelling, scientific evidence in many types of cases. DNA profiles can be used in cases beyond murder and rape, and are capable of being produced from everyday items such as cigarette ends and licked envelopes - all that is required is a single cell. This book is the first to give lawyers a complete account of the issues involved in taking DNA evidence into court. It takes the reader through:

the structure of DNA and collection of samples

blood groups

how DNA is analysed

how DNA analysis is used in paternity tests and criminal cases

the creation of DNA databases, and

the ethical considerations of DNA profiling.
This book is not intended as a textbook of law, but as a resource which can be used to help understand what is done before the results are taken into court. Not only does this book provide the reader with an understanding of the power of DNA profiles, it goes on to dispel the myth that DNA results are infallible - they are on the contrary prone to mistakes and misinterpretations as much as any other complicated science. This thought-provoking book, complete with comprehensive glossary, will help lawyers ask important and probing questions when faced with such evidence in court.

Buy it

Genetics is at the heart of modern science - and, some say, of history, philosophy and the law. Genes link the past with the present and contain within themselves the fate of many of those who carry them. Professor Steve Jones has written this book to accompany a BBC TV series exploring the ethical issues raised by genetics. Among other things, Jones explains why sex and taxes are the same thing, how racism changed its name and why the debate about 'criminal genes' is the same as that which led to the Reformation. This book is lively and informal, and aimed at the non-specialist.

Buy it

This book is aimed at forensic scientists who are familiar with basic genetics but uncomfortable with statistics. The book begins with an introduction to basic probability theory and a demonstration of the Bayesian approach for interpreting forensic transfer evidence. Topics in basic statistics that are necessary for forensic scientists are covered, such as the theory underlying the estimation of allele proportions. Then the authors go on to consider the relevance of population genetics to forensic science, using population genetics in cases of disputed parentage and identification of human remains. Evett and Weir have concentrated on PCR nuclear DNA-based profiling systems, and have not included topics like mitochondrial DNA or measurement error. There are chapters on how to calculate match probabilities and how to explain such conclusions in a statement. Finally, the authors discuss the presentation of evidence in court. Complex mathematical ideas are separated from the main text, although a basic understanding of maths is assumed. There are also a number of exercises, with answers, to give the reader practice at the various techniques, and plenty of worked examples.

Buy it

This book is the ideal introduction to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), covering subjects such as avoiding contamination, product analysis and direct sequencing.

Buy it

On 21st November 1983 a young girl was raped and murdered near her home in the Leicestershire village of Narborough. Nearly three years later the case had still not been solved when another young girl was similarly raped and killed near the same village. In the hunt that followed a young kitchen porter, who had been sighted several times near the crime scene, was arrested and he subsequently confessed to the second murder. Convinced that they had found the killer of both girls, the police enlisted the help of a scientific aid that had only just been announced. The technique was known as “genetic fingerprinting”. The police were devastated when the lab report on the tests stated that the kitchen porter was innocent of both the first and second murder. However, the tests did prove conclusively that the crimes were committed by the same person. So began the first “mass screening” of all eligible males in the village that led to the arrest and conviction of the rapist and murderer Colin Pitchfork – the first man to be convicted using DNA evidence.

Buy it

This book has been translated from the Russian original. Its aim is to answer the question, "What is DNA?" with a particular emphasis on examining the physical and mathematical aspects of DNA. The book begins with a history of the study of DNA, a description of the DNA code and an outline of DNA's physical properties before moving on to consider the implications of these aspects of DNA for genetics. Specific chapters are devoted to circular DNA and knotted DNA. The final chapters concentrate on the hazards and hopes of genetic engineering and the direction of future research. Kamenetskii also includes a glossary and a guide for further reading.

Buy it