"Blood Left at Crime Scene can Incriminate Criminals Age."
This article talkes about forensic science and fingerprints. There is a lot of time and cost included in DNA testing, and so it is not often used in cases. A new study is trying out a test to measure the levels of a certain enzyme (ALP) in the blood.
The ALP enzyme is used for bone growth and is less prevalent as you grow older. Testing the amounts of ALP in the criminals blood, you could hypothetically calculate their approximate age. There are certain factors that could ruin this test such as; health of the criminal, bone disorders, etc.
This experiment was on a very small scale, and is not as accurate as regular DNA testing, but it also takes a lot less time. This testing would be used along with regular DNA testing to further prove the results and find the truth.
Other enzymes are suspected to be able to tell the gender of the criminal, but more testing and experimenting must be done on this. The two different enzymes are; creatine kinase, and alanine transaminase. This may lead to the testing for more specific enzymes that can tell us more about the criminal.
I thought that this article was very interesting-that they can use the amount of an enzyme in the blood to determine the approximate age of an individual. It is amazing to me how different all humans are in personality and such, but we are all so similar in the biology of things. I think that this added testing measure is a really good thing, and could eventually lead to more substantial, ways of furthering forensic science.
-- B.C.
If the DNA is too expensive to be done, why are additional tests being added? You stated at the beginning of your post that DNA testing is too expensive and not being completed, then later say it will be used in conjunction with DNA tests. If you already have someone’s DNA it seems pointless to then add “oh yeah, it’s a girl, and she’s approximately 30-35 years old”
ReplyDeleteIf it will be used as an initial test (like blood type tests) it’s pretty flimsy evidence. Many people have the same types of blood, gender and age… Only one person has your DNA.
A. Wardell
Is this article arguing for an increase in use if DNA testing due to these factors in the blood? Since it was stated that the cost was very high, does the author believe that, despite the cost, DNA can help identify criminals? M. Aldridge
ReplyDeleteThe article is just suggesting that this new way of testing will help us to be more accurate with our evidence. DNA testing is expensive and it takes a long time. This type of testing can help narrow down the search margin, and maybe one day when more work has been done on it, it will be more reliable than DNA testing. BC
DeleteIs it an exact amount in each person? Or at the age of 20 could one person have a very high amount of ALP and another a very low amount, making it difficult to really know how old they are? J. Ryan
ReplyDeleteGood point, is it something that could be consistently measured or is each persons loss of ALP unique to them or dependent on any other factors?
DeleteA. WArdell
According to medlineplus.gov the normal range for ALP in the blood is 44-147 IU/L (international units per liter). High levels of ALP are found in pregnant women and children who are going through growth spurts. The ALP levels start to decrease when boys turn 12 years old, and girls turn 14.
ReplyDeleteLindsay C.
Like some others have said, this seems like a silly proposition and waste of resources. If there is only one way to test the DNA to a high degree of accuracy, and it is expensive but conclusive, don't look for other ways to test a person, look for ways to make the DNA test cheaper. I think so many factors can play a part in throwing off the enzyme count in people that it really wouldn't be beneficial, especially in a court of law. DNA is much more accurate. It is interesting that we can tell so much about a person from their enzyme count, but I do not feel it can be stated with confidence and therefore, would be rather pointless in law enforcement.
ReplyDelete-Alex G.
This is very interesting because yes the new test of measuring the enzyme ALP in blood to determine age can criminalize people but, it could also decriminalize people. Just like when DNA was introduced to the criminal justice world many convicted felons were set free after using DNA testing to decriminalize them. I call this justice. Hopefully in the future ALP testing can do the same.
ReplyDeleteJH
I found an article from Deseret News saying that there is a forensic lab here in Salt Lake City that is able to go through the DNA profiling process in just 90 minutes. That's not really that long. That's cool that the ALP blood test is fast and stuff, but it's definitely not as accurate as DNA testing. And with criminal investigation, accuracy is a must. I like that you said it can add as evidence with DNA proof. I totally agree. - Chad B
ReplyDeleteIf we are so worried about the high costs of the tests we already have, why are we spending money on research of less accurate tests? this really doesnt make sense to me. KH
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy how much forensics have improved, and how much they continue to improve. If we keep progressing at this rate, there will be no point in committing a crime because you will be caught within the first 20 minutes! I think it is really cool that the things we can learn on a cellular level can have such a big impact.
ReplyDeleteI think the evolution of technology is great. DNA testing has given life back to those falsely incriminated of crimes, and has helped solve countless wrongdoings. I support the research into more indepth ways of finding out truth and helping the justice system. Cost and availability of these processes can be a factor, but if we continue to develop efficient ways of forensic, we soon might be able to perfect it so that every crime receives the right justice.
ReplyDeleteR.T.
This is an EPIC discovery! I am passionate about forensics, and this could help us eliminate so many elements, and narrow searches so much more easily! Knowing someones age by seeing their blood- I wonder if this could be inhibited by someone who has gone through a transfusion though?
ReplyDeleteHW
I think it is interesting how such a small amount of information could help discover the age of someone. This research would help further the forensic process and also help with legal issues. This could be the way of the future in forensics.
ReplyDelete--A.S.