What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence

First Responding Officers

Limitations of DNA Evidence

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With all the benefits and uses of DNA evidence, there are limitations of which law enforcement personnel should be aware.

  • Environmental factors such as heat, sunlight, bacteria and mold can destroy DNA evidence.
  • Identical twins share identical DNA.
  • DNA from close relatives is more similar than DNA from unrelated persons.
  • DNA cannot be used to determine WHEN the suspect was at the crime scene.

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