A smudge of blood on a broken window. A discarded cigarette butt. Even a used piece of toilet paper. <\/p>\n
These are all items from which Oklahoma City police have recovered DNA evidence from burglars. Even when the criminals have not been identified and charged, their DNA profiles often are. <\/p>\n
Scientists can now determine your entire genetic make-up in less than one day and for a price of $1,000.<\/p>\n
The department started aggressively pursuing property crime cases through DNA evidence in 2009, said Campbell Ruddock, police DNA lab manager. <\/p>\n
Police now routinely are handling over 500 DNA cases a year, with about a 20 percent increase each year, Ruddock said. <\/p>\n
And upward of 360 of those DNA profiles have been charged by the Oklahoma County district attorney's office in the last five years. <\/p>\n
Finding a match <\/p>\n
With a good, clean sample, scientists can pin a genetic match. <\/p>\n
A DNA profile is kind of like a combination lock. It's that specific order and combination we look for, Ruddock said. <\/p>\n
We look at 16 points on the DNA. Anything beyond that is statistically irrelevant, he said. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Original post: A smudge of blood on a broken window. A discarded cigarette butt. Even a used piece of toilet paper Continue reading
\nOklahoma City police, prosecutors use DNA evidence to nab thieves<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"