Forensic Biology
The Molecular Genetics Section is under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Mike Budzynski. This Section analyzes blood, body fluids, tissue and other related biological materials in an attempt to identify the contributor of the biological specimens. The vast majority of examinations involve violent crimes such as murder, sexual assault, or aggravated assault.
The Molecular Genetics Section also manages the Sexual Assault Programs, which includes preparation and distribution of Sexual Assault and Suspect Evidence Collection Kits and the training of medical and law enforcement personnel.
At
crime scenes, Section agents assist local law enforcement agencies by conducting
luminol testing for traces of blood invisible to the naked eye. This testing
is valuable in cases where the scene has been cleaned up. Agents also analyze
blood spatter patterns in an attempt to recreate events that occurred at a
scene or determine the positions of the victim or suspect at the time blood
was shed.
The Section offers a full service DNA typing laboratory to provide state-of-the-art analysis PCR based STR typing procedures in casework. Evidence provided by this Unit has been crucial to solving some of the State's most violent rape and homicide cases. The Section is offering a PCR based typing system called STRs which has a faster turn around time for cases with a high probability of discrimination.
Starting December 1, 2003, North Carolina began collecting DNA samples from all convicted felons. Those DNA samples are analyzed and then uploaded to the state's DNA database, which currently contains more than 54,000 DNA profiles. North Carolina's database is part of a national DNA database called CODIS (Combined DNA Index System).
Investigators can use DNA evidence collected from crime scenes in cases without a suspect to search the database for a match. To date, the North Carolina's database has provided leads in solving more than 269 cases.
The following is a bibliography of articles concerning Forensic Molecular Genetics:
Jeffreys AJ, Wilson V, Thein SL (1985) Individual-specific "fingerprints" of human DNA. Nature 316:76-79.
Gill P, Jeffreys AJ, Werrett DJ (1985) Forensic application of DNA "fingerprints". Nature 318:577-579.
Kanter E, Baird M, Shaler R, Balazs I (1986) Analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) recovered from dried bloodstains. J of Forensic Sci 31:403-408.
Moss DC (1988) DNA-The new fingerprints. ABA Journal, May, 1988, p 66-70.
Lewis R (1988) DNA fingerprints: Witness for the prosecution. Discover, June 1988, p 44-52.
Farley MA, Harrington JJ (ed) (1991) Forensic DNA Technology. Lewis Publishers, Inc, Chelsec, Michigan.
Kirby LT (1990) DNA Fingerprinting: An Introduction. Stockton Press, NY
Fregeau CJ, Fourney RM (1993) DNA typing with fluorescently tagged short tandem repeats: A sensitive and accurate approach to human identification. Biotechniques 15:100-119.
Coleman H, Swenson E (1994) DNA In the Courtroom: A Trial Watcher's Guide. Gene Lex Corp., Seattle, WA
Lygo JE, Johnson PE, Holdaway DJ, Woodroffe S, Whitaker JP, Clayton TM, Kimpton CP, Gill P (1994) The validation of short tandem repeat (STR) loci for use in forensic casework. Int. J. Leg. Med. 107:77-89.