you need many copies of DNA for DNA fingerprinting
When collecting gunpowder residue for analysis, yes, this is an accepted test.
DNA sequences .
DNA evidence is very conclusive and some say 99% accurate, however it is possible to challenge it based upon faulty collection and/or faulty lab techniques. All evidence can be contaminated by faulty collection and preservation methods and it leaves the evidence open to challenge. One key component to preserving any evidence is maintaining a secure chain of custody of any collected evidence. from the time of collection to the end of the case in court every movement of the evidence must be documented.
Simularities in DNA sequence
A confirmatory test for blood is DNA analysis. This test can definitively identify the source of the blood sample by comparing its genetic profile to that of a known individual. It is highly accurate and is often used in forensic investigations or paternity testing to provide conclusive evidence.
A footprint alone is not conclusive evidence because it may not definitively identify a specific individual. Footprints can be similar across multiple people or animals, and other factors like size variation, distortion, and contamination can affect the accuracy of footprint evidence. Additional evidence, such as DNA or eyewitness testimony, is typically needed to support the significance of a footprint in an investigation.
Using DNA analysis for identification and investigation is more accurate, reliable, and sensitive compared to older methods such as fingerprint analysis or blood typing. DNA analysis allows for highly specific and conclusive results that can withstand legal scrutiny. Additionally, DNA analysis can provide insights into genetic relationships and ancestry that older methods cannot.
No, the suspect's admission to guilt does not necessarily provide conclusive evidence in the case.
The test of ethyl and methyl alcohol may provide some evidence, but it is not necessarily conclusive. Further analysis and testing could be needed to confirm the presence and differentiate between the two types of alcohol definitively.
DNA is classified as circumstantial evidence as there are a variety of scenarios in which the DNA could have been there, say at a popular pub there was a murder, a police man finds some blood on the floor which was not that of the victim; this is not conclusive as the blood could have gotten there a variety of ways.Added: In order to be admitted into evidence, as one of the qualifying exceptions of the "circumstantial evidence" rule, supporting facts and/or evidence must bolster its admission. Something more than mere conjecture must be offered in support of the collected DNA.
Several factors can affect the reliability of DNA evidence, including sample quality, contamination, degradation, mixtures of DNA from multiple individuals, and potential human error during collection and analysis. It is crucial for forensic scientists to carefully consider these factors when interpreting DNA evidence in criminal investigations.