Research Paper on Biological Evidences and Serology

Introduction

Examination of forensic samples majorly encompasses the application of sophisticated instruments. Though the existence of even minute quantities of components can be discovered, the data can be suspect and lawfully prohibited unless it can be illustrated that the equipment was functioning well. In an appropriate sample review, different quality control steps have to be included along with the samples. Among the important factors include the inclusion of a reference sample and questioned samples.

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A reference sample is a sample that consists of the identical matrix as the forensic sample. A good example is that a reference sample will be a water-based answer if the forensic sample is a water-based answer. Furthermore, a reference sample encompasses a specifically defined level of a target compound (Schneider & Martin, 2001, p. 238). Review of the reference sample has to provide, within certain confines, the quantity of the target agent. If the review accurate is faulty, then the dependability of the instrument and other operators are questioned.

On the other hand, a questioned sample is often collected as evidence as compared to the reference sample (Verma & Singh, 2003, p. 29). It involves a sample that has been gathered from a known area but its origin is not known, or it is from an unknown individual. When the two samples are compared, they will indicate the relationship or connection between and offender, victim or the crime scene. Below is a list of reference samples and the unknown samples from the two case studies.

Unknown Samples

Hunting knives and a rifle were recovered from the bed of the truck

Backpack which had blood stained shirt, ropes, and some bloodstain on the back of the car A smear of blood on the steering wheel

A smear of blood on the side foot of the driver

Jill's underpants and T-shirt

White stain on the front seat of Pete's car

Different strains were present in the vehicle

Reference Samples

A 10ml vial of blood that contained EDTA was obtained from John Douglas

A saliva sample from Jill Jones

A vaginal swab from Jill Jones

A vaginal smear from Jill Jones

A saliva sample from Pete Smith

A 10ml vial of blood that contained EDTA collected from Pete Smith

A 10 ml vial blood that contained EDTA was collected from Jill Jones

The evidence that I have chosen will assist in solving the case because the DNA based evidence from the suspect which are the reference samples will be compared with the collected samples from the crime scene which include the unknown samples. The physical evidence is very important because they will link the suspect to the crime scene. There are enough technological tools that will be used in comparing the two samples in both cases. Apart from the evidence collected, fingerprints will also be used as a method of identifying the suspect, for example, in the case of the missing person where Jane Douglas the daughter of Bill Brown was missing fingerprint will be used to determine if the missing person had touched anything in the crime scene (Ubelaker, Ross & Graver, 2002. P. 3). This could be facilitated by the use of Advanced Fingerprint Identification Technology (AFIT) that encompass and algorithm that assist in improving the perfection of the fingerprint matches to about 99% (Kayser & De Knijff, 2011, p. 179).

Besides, John Douglas claimed that he had shot and killed a large deer, but his allegations could not be ignored rather the blood that was obtained from his vehicle could still be used in the investigation. The sample of the blood taken from the car could be tested to identify if it belongs to the animal or the missing person. Besides, there was also blood stains on John Dougla 's, and the dye could also be tested to identify if it belongs to the deer or the missing person. There was also a blood trail between the garage and the trashcan and the backdoor which indicated that the missing person might have been killed or injured. This blood is collected and tested to identify if there it matches with the blood of the missing person. In Jane's house, the back door was open, and there was also a trail of shoe print from the kitchen to the front door. There was blood in the wall in the lounge room.

On the kitchen floor, there was a pool of blood which was believed to be the blood of the missing person. This blood could also be compared with the blood found on John's truck, and if they match, then it would be evident that John was responsible for the murder of the missing person. John also knew that his children would stay with their grandparents over the weekend and he had not communicated with or seen Jane for about two weeks. It was very important for John to allow the police to examine his car to identify if the blood strain were in any way related to the blood found in the house and garage. Upon proper comparison, there would be enough evidence gathered which would help in either detaining John if found guilty or freeing him if found innocent. Since there were no any other pieces of evidence available such as the camera or video record or the presence of an eyewitness, then the reference sample obtained from the individuals concerned and the unknown samples collected from the crime scene could be compared and used as reliable evidence (Baskin & Sommers, 2010, p. 1145).

Both biological and physical evidence obtained in this scene were relevant and would assist in solving the case. In the case of missing person, weapon analysis could also be done to identify if the suspect used the weapon on the missing person or the deer. The weapons found in this scenario include several hunting knives and a rifle which were recovered from John's truck. Different things would be tested from these weapons including the fingerprint and the blood found on the fingerprint (Lee & Harris, 2011, p. 14). If the blood found matches with the blood of the missing person found in the kitchen, then it would be evident that the weapons were used in killing Jane.

In the second case, the evidence that I have selected would also assist in solving the case as they will provide more than enough evidence because there was no eyewitness and cameras around. Since the allegations made by Jill Jones could not be used in favor of or against Pete Smith, evidence was to be collected to identify the root of the case. This case is both sexual harassment and torture because Pete is said to have bitten Jill while sexually harassing her. Besides, the investigation started a few hours after the event and this was very important as much of the evidence could not have been hidden by the suspect (Toom, 2012, p. 164). The white stain that was found on the front seat of Pete's car could be used as evidence to identify if they were semen from Pete or vaginal fluid from Jill.

In this event, if Pete did not use protection, then it would be very easy to know if he sexually harassed Jill or not. Markedly, it is because of the semen samples that would be obtained on a vaginal swab and smear from Jill which would have some samples of the semen. A 10ml vial blood that contained EDTA that was collected form Pete Smith would be compared with different stains found in his car and if the DNA matches then it would be evident that he sexually harassed Jill, however, if nothing matches it would be hard to identify if he sexually harassed her and thus the case would favor him. The saliva sample from Pete could also be used to compare with stains both in the car and in the clothes of Jill, and if there would be any match, then that could be used as evidence against Pete.

However, if there would be no match, then it cannot be used to solve the case. The vaginal swab, smear, and saliva were all used as a forensic specimen in this case. This assist in the forensic examination and to collect enough evidence to prove a connection between the two and or between Jill and the car. The samples could also be compared with samples stains found in the car to identify if there is a match which would also be used to solve the problem.

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Verma, S.K. and Singh, L....