Legal Aspects Of DNA Analysis

Arunita Roy Chowdhury, The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata

INTRODUCTION

DNA (short form of Deoxyribonucleic Acid) forms the backbone of the genetic institution of human beings. It typically comprises two interwinding chains having nucleotides sequenced and the nitrogenous bases interconnected to each other on the inside forming the rungs of the doubly bonded helix.

A brief description of the nucleotides and the nitrogenous bases is as follows herein:

• Nucleotides: A nucleotide comprises a pentose sugar with a phosphate group attached to its 5th carbon with the nitrogenous bases attached to the second carbon. The pentose sugar is deoxyribose.
  

• Nitrogenous bases: These molecules are basic in nature with Nitrogen as their primary element. There are four nitrogenous bases namely, Adenine(A), Guanine(G), Cytosine(C), and Thymine(T). They are joined to each other by hydrogen bonds. Adenine links to Thymine by double bonds while Guanine links to Cytosine by triple bonds. As DNA forms the basis of genetics, it finds a huge application in the legal grounds, but the question that we ponder upon is: ‘What is the science behind the use of DNA in criminal investigations?’ Thus, as we walk through this project, we will eventually highlight the importance of the science behind DNA analysis in criminal investigation and its subsequent contribution to legal aspects.