All samples must be properly collected, using gloves and other tools in order to prevent contamination, as well as properly stored until analysis can be performed. It is vitally important that this chain of evidence be maintained so that the evidence collected from using the samples can then be admissible in a court of law. This requires those collecting and storing samples not only to use gloves and tools to handle the samples, but also to avoid talking, sneezing, coughing, touching one's own body, as well as making certain samples are air dried before storing, using paper bags or envelopes instead of plastic containers, and to "tape, seal, initial, and date all paper bags or envelopes." (Catalin, p.7)
DNA is a useful tool in the identification of suspects involved in criminal cases, but there are some limitations to the use of DNA in forensics. First of all, forensic DNA use is dependent upon the proper collection, transport, storage, and analysis of samples. While forensic scientists take many precautions to prevent degradation and contamination of samples, sometimes contamination occurs and the DNA evidence is usually found to be inadmissible in court. There is also the problem...
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