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The History of DNA used as evidence
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The murder of Duchesse de Praslin
The first usage of DNA analysis occurred in 1847 France by using hair as evidence in the Duchesse de Praslin case. -
DNA is identified
Friedrich Miescher identifies DNA -
The Principles and Practice of Medical Jurisprudence
A book called, "The Principles and Practice of Medical Jurisprudence" written by Alfred Swaine Taylor and Thomas Stevenson contained some of the first valuable forensic observation of evidence, including hairs, and how they can be used in investigations. Read The Book Hair is on page 511. -
Fingerprints used as evidence in court
Fingerprints were used as evidence to convict Thomas Jennings of murder in Illinois. They were then deemed admissible as evidence in court cases. Reference: People v. Jennings -
Blood Types
Blood types are used to establish paternity in court -
Fingerprint Repository
In 1924 the FBI created a fingerprint repository where they kept record of fingerprints taken on cards. -
DNA research begins
Research on DNA and analysis of it starts after James Watson and Francis Crick examines DNA more thoroughly and researches it in depth. -
Heavy Metal Exposure
Environmental toxicology was used to detect exposure levels to heavy metals from collected hair strands. -
AFIS is created
AFIS is created for use by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies as an easier way for keeping fingerprints, and reduce the volume of duplicate records. -
Organic Compounds
Hair is used in 1979 to detect exposure to organic substances including heroin and morphine -
DNA analysis is used to convict
DNA is used as evidence in the first case ever to convict Colin Pitchfork of the rape and murder of two 15 year old girls. Click here for the case text. -
DNA evidence is used to exonerate
The first exoneration of Gary Dotson who was falsely convicted of rape and served nearly 10 years in prison, by using the new PCR DNA technique. Read More Here! -
DNA is extracted from hair
Microscopic DNA analysis begins to take hold in the court system, used to extract DNA from hair strands found as evidence. It was a process used to convict people or their crimes but also to exonerate people who had been convicted using hair strand comparison as the only evidence against them. It was a flawed approach, and the FBI and other agencies were later forced to admit that they knew it was flawed, but went forward with convictions anyway. -
Forensic Genetic Geneology
In 1991, with no leads, law enforcement agencies turn to genetic databases to find suspects for cold cases. This is done when they have DNA evidence but they cannot find a match or who it belongs to. The forensic investigators turn towards ancestry or genealogical trees to find people who are related to whoever the DNA belongs to. They then try to figure out who the DNA belongs to by connecting them. -
The Innocence Project
The Innocence Project is formed as an advocacy group who attempt to exonerate innocent individuals who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit by way of DNA evidence to prove they didn't do it. [The Innocence Project(https://innocenceproject.org/about/) -
CODIS
CODIS is created in 1998 as the Combined DNA Index System used by law enforcement agencies to keep records of biological DNA analysis, and find matches for cases when needed for identification purposes as part of the National DNA Index System(NDIS). -
Innocence Protection Act
The Innocence Protection Act allows a pathway for inmates to petition courts for DNA tests to be used as new evidence to prove their innocence. -
Justice For All Act
The Justice For All Act provides financial support and funding to crime labs to analyze backlogged DNA evidence. -
Santae Tribble
Santae Tribble is exonerated after being wrongfully convicted of murder. The FBI used their "hair analysis" as evidence against him, claiming hairs on a stocking found located a block from the crime scene matched Tribble's hair. Later testing performed on the hair sample using mitochondrial DNA matching showed the hair did not belong to Tribble. You can read more about Santae Tribble's case here -
Justice Department and FBI revelation
The Justice Department and the FBI admit publicly that from 1980 to 2000, the technicians in the FBI's crime lab provided inaccurate testimony during criminal trials. Here is an article to read more about it.