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Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court

Probative Evidence (cont.)

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photo of a hat on a windowsill, a magnifying glass shows a closeup of hair on the hat.
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

The best evidence occurs when a victim's or suspect's DNA is found where it is not supposed to be or where information does not support contact having ever occurred between the victim and suspect.

Example: A breaking and entering occurred in a residential area; near the point of forced entry, a knit cap was found. The homeowners confirmed the knit cap was not theirs. No perspiration or other cellular transfer was found along the inside rim of the cap, which appeared new. However, several head hairs were recovered from inside. One of the hairs had a root with tissue attached and a DNA profile was obtained. This DNA profile may be used to identify the perpetrator.

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