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Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court

DNA Typing - The PCR Revolution

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Zoomed in photo of a shirt button with a large blood splatter on the left hand side, and a small dot of blood on the right side.
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

While RFLP technology provided the ability to individualize samples to their donors, it required a large amount of biological sample and the presence of high-quality (non-degraded) DNA. RFLP testing averaged 10-12 weeks to complete.

PCR technology permitted very small samples and partially degraded DNA to be tested. It also shortened the analysis time from weeks to days. This technology is the primary reason why DNA testing is increasingly being used today as an investigative tool for law enforcement.

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