The purpose of this IQP was to examine the fundamental principles of DNA fingerprinting technology, analyzing its growth within both the legal and scientific communities, to provide an effective documentation of the impact of this new technology on society. Various methods used to obtain DNA fingerprints were analyzed, including the proper techniques for handling and storing DNA samples. Several court cases using DNA forensics were explored to document the technical proceedings involved in admittance of DNA evidence into U.S courts. A few court cases of popular notoriety were covered to give readers a frame of reference for DNA fingerprinting and forensics within the media and current events. Ethical issues of privacy stemming from the advent of DNA forensics and databases were examined.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Ewalt, Jennifer Rose
• Jillson, Kevin C.
• Laguerre, Soana

Subject

• Security
• Community

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-082007-122334

Keyword

• DNA fingerprinting

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2007

Date created

• 2007-08-20

Location

• Worcester

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright