U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence

First Responding Officers

Gunshot Example

Home  |  Glossary  |  Resources  |  Help  |  Contact Us  |  Course Map
 

Another example of an unusual source for DNA evidence identified a suspect in the violent robbery of a California shop owner. While the owner of the shop shot at the suspect in self-defense, the bullet from his gun went through the body of the assailant and lodged into a wall. When the ballistics team evaluated the projectile, they discovered traces of blood on its surface. Upon DNA analysis, the blood on the projectile recovered from the crime scene was proved to be that of the suspect, who previously claimed he knew nothing of the incident.

Back Forward