Contamination of DNA Evidence

Avery Kelly
 ● Topic: Contamination of
DNA Evidence
Junior Year ● Why: Potential Problems
● Thesis: Despite the fact that
forensic science has become
the most vital way of
identifying criminals, it is the
Research Paper contamination of evidence
that makes this an unreliable
processes.
Junior Year ❖ 60% of DNA evidence in
court is invalid from
contamination.
❖ Dr.Schneeberger
- Manipulates own DNA
- Usage of anticoagulant,
Interesting Findings drain, and another’s blood
Service Learning ● Shadowing with Dale Callan
Experience (SLE) - Package evidence
- How to get DNA
- Crime Scene House
● CPCC Huntersville
What ● Learn how evidence may
Where
become contaminated
Why
● Connections with Career
How
Counselor
When
● 2nd half of junior year to
beginning of senior
 SLE
Crime Board
The Product ● Presentation of
contamination of evidence
and Hair Analysis
● Providence High School
What ● February 28, 2019
Where ● Emailed Dr. Krahn
When ● Bring Awareness
How - Discuss impact
Why - Suggest potential
alternative
Product of
Evidence
 Overall Experience/ Next Steps

Next Steps:
Overall Experience
- Major: Forensic Biology
● Very Educational and Informative
- Minor: Forensic Chemistry/
● Skills learned
Criminal Justice
- Importance of communication
- Career Level: Going for Master’s
- How to network
and PhD
- How if you want something you
- Career: DNA Analyst for crime lab
will have mentors but it is ALL up
- Eventually make it to FBI!
to you to get tasks completed
 Works Cited
Freeman, Shanna. How DNA Profiling Works. Howstuffworks, 2017,

science.howstuffworks.com/dna-profiling4.htm.

Jones, Johnathan. “Forensic Tools: What's Reliable and What’s Not-So-Scientific.” Frontline, PBS,

17 Apr. 2012,

www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/forensic-tools-whats-reliable-and-whats-not-so-scien

tific/.