FORENSIC APPLICATIONS OF DNA TYPING PART 2 - COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF DNA EVIDENCE

The initial stages of physical evidence examination are pivotal to the successful resolution of criminal investigations. Recent cases clearl y reinforce the notion that methods of evidence collection and preserv ation will continue to be rigorously scrutinized and challenged in cou rt. This article reviews forensic applications of DNA typing focusing on the collection and preservation of biological evidence. Topics addr essed include physical evidence collection at the crime scene, the for ensic laboratory, and the autopsy room. Specific concerns pertaining t o different sources of DNA evidence are discussed, as are special coll ection methods associated with various substrates on which the evidenc e is deposited.