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What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence

First Responding Officers

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

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PCR
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Laboratories now are using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology to analyze DNA. This technology is highly sensitive and can generate a reliable DNA profile from a crime scene stain that is as small as the size of a pin head. Because newer DNA tests are based on sensitive PCR technology, more attention must be paid to preventing contamination at the crime scene.

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