DNA profiling is a forensic technique in criminal investigations, comparing criminal suspects' profiles to DNA evidence so as to assess the likelihood of their involvement in the crime. The ability of DNA profiling to link an individual to an incident, means that it is often a key element of forensic evidence in criminal cases.
Since only a few cells can be sufficient to obtain useful DNA information, the list below identifies some common items of evidence that may be needed to collect, the possible location of the DNA on the evidence, and the biological source containing the cells.
Since only a few cells can be sufficient to obtain useful DNA information, the list below identifies some common items of evidence that may be needed to collect, the possible location of the DNA on the evidence, and the biological source containing the cells.
| Evidence | Possible Location of DNA on the Evidence | Source of DNA |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball bat or similar weapon | Handle, end | Sweat, skin, blood, tissue |
| Hat, bandanna, or mask | Inside | Sweat, hair, dandruff |
| Eyeglasses | Nose or ear pieces, lens | Sweat, skin |
| Facial tissue, cotton swab | Surface area | Mucus, blood, sweat, semen, ear wax |
| Dirty laundry | Surface area | Blood, sweat, semen |
| Toothpick | Tips | Saliva |
| Used cigarette | Cigarette butt | Saliva |
| Stamp or envelope | Licked area | Saliva |
| Tape or ligature | Inside/outside surface | Skin, sweat |
| Bottle, can, or glass | Sides, mouthpiece | Saliva, sweat |
| Used condom | Inside/outside surface | Semen, vaginal or rectal cells |
| Blanket, pillow, sheet | Surface area | Sweat, hair, semen, urine, saliva |
| \"Through and through\" bullet | Outside surface | Blood, tissue |
| Bite mark | Person\'s skin or clothing | Saliva |
| Fingernail, partial fingernail | Scrapings | Blood, sweat, tissue |