Scientists: DNA Evidence Can Be Fabricated

New York Times Reports Successful DNA Fabrication May Undermine Gold Standard of Proof in Criminal Cases

(CBS)  Scientists in Israel have successfully fabricated blood and saliva samples containing DNA, potentially undercutting what has been considered key evidence in the conviction or exoneration in crime cases, the New York Times reported.

According to the newspaper, the scientists also demonstrated that if they had access to a DNA profile in a database, they could construct a sample of DNA to match that profile without obtaining any tissue from that person.

"Any biology undergraduate could perform this,” said Dr. Dan Frumkin, lead author of the paper, which is published online in the journal Genetics.

The paper asserts that while DNA analysis has become a centerpiece of law enforcement, the possibility that such evidence can be faked has not been considered.

"This is potentially huge news in the world of criminal justice, which hasn’t yet even fully had the time to embrace DNA for all of its uses," said CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen. "And I suspect it won’t be long before defense attorneys are using this study to undercut DNA analysis and conclusions in cases all over the country."

"This is potentially terrible news for prosecutors and police and the military and all sorts of industries that use DNA testing to confirm or find information," Cohen adds. "As the paper’s author says, 'You can now just engineer a crime scene.' Good news for crime dramas on television but not so much to the criminal justice system."

"It’ll be interesting to see how the legal world reacts to it and whether this study will be embraced or scorned by DNA experts here in the States," Cohen said. "But you can be sure that before too long DNA evidence in criminal cases all over will be challenged based upon these findings."

[raveneye74]

If you read a little further into the linked article, the purpose of this demonstration was to sell their "kit" that can distinguish between authentic and artifically DNA. The problem is that conventional DNA authentication techniques cannot distinguish between the two. Brilliant marketing - create a problem where there wasn't one before and then have the solution in hand. A virtual gold mine.

"In order to effectively deal with this problem, we developed an authentication assay, which distinguishes between natural and artificial DNA based on methylation analysis of a set of genomic loci: in natural DNA, some loci are methylated and others are unmethylated, while in artificial DNA all loci are unmethylated."

[nomealaska]

Good, they need to throw out the whole DNA database in its entirity. What an abuse of citizen's rights! If there is a crime in your home, then you are fingerprinted/DNA sampled to exclude you, but then your information is retained in "the system" forever. How many innocent people's DNA, etc. are in the system?

[ToolMangler1]

I agree
DNA databases are simply another form of Big Brotherism, and they are not even the tip of the iceberg.

[zonkzilla]

"When are the Sheep going to wake up you are being played for fools by this GOV/CORP agreement."

Of course you are correct but you needed to add "and their propaganda ministry" which is what the so called news media is especially that joke FOX News. What we are going through is an exact copy of Nazi Germany during the rise of Hitler in the 1930's. Fascists like Limbaugh, Hannity, and Beck on the radio screaming and spewing hate and lies, the so called Tea Parties, the threats at town hall meetings, beatings by police, tan uniforms for the loyal party members (shaved heads,khaki pants,white shirts,black SUV's, sunglasses to hide their face), it is all here.

[chevyhotrod]

You need to get your facts straight. Who supports Israel more than anyone? Limbaugh, Hannity & Beck or the Obama Administration? I will give you a hint, it's not Obama. Nazism stands for, officially in Germany as National Socialism. Who promotes Socialism? I will give you another hint, it not Limbaugh, Hannity or Beck? Tea Parties, town hall meetings are our god given rights to protest Socialism. The only spewing of hate and lies is you. Go get an education and read a book once in awhile and get a job while your at it. The only people with uniforms are the ACRORN & SEIU people with their professionally made signage. Just watch all your so called NEWS organizations and with an open mind you shall see.

[chevyhotrod]

I do agree with one comment you made "What we are going through is an exact copy of Nazi Germany during the rise of Hitler in the 1930's"

[zonkzilla]

Well well, look what I found.
Speaking of DNA......

"August 16, 2009 | Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp is looking to the building blocks of our bodies -- DNA -- to be the structure of next-generation microchips. ..."

[ToolMangler1]

I can see it now; "Its so realistic even your own mother can't tell"

[quapawsix]

This goes to show that you can manipulate any evidence to fit your case.
Washington and the Big Insurance and the AMA just manipulated the truth just to keep the people of the United States from having fair and reasonable medical coverage. When are the Sheep going to wake up you are being played for fools by this GOV/CORP agreement.

[Jim1900]

You can fake fingerprints and any other evidence too. It just means that the courts will be more likely to allow cross-examination of the experts rather than relying on their conclusions as established facts.

[zonkzilla]

Now does everyone see why some want everyone to give a DNA sample and then have it available on a database for all law enforcement and government agencies?
What better way to do away with people who speak out against tyranny such as wealthy people controlling our government or lives.
Who better to fight against tyranny and oppression than Jews?
Thank you Israel.
Bottom line, if you can't prove your case without hocus pocus than there is no case.
The microchip in everyone is the next method, the chips and data can be manipulated by remote computer also to "put" someone where they have not been.

[longtree-2009]

if true, and apparently it is, does this mean that everyone serving time due to conviction by dna is now entitled to a new trial, to be set free? scientists all over the world can either support these latest scientific findings regarding dna, or not. as a citizen of the usa, am curious to know how this will play out here.

[docpeter1953]

by longtree-2009 August 18, 2009 5:20 AM EDT, "[D]oes this mean that everyone serving time due to conviction by dna is now entitled to a new trial, to be set free?"
____________________________

No. Because up until now this new DNA technology wasn't really available. It will only work fot future DNA trials.

[babooph]

Who would one believe the US govt would fake evidence-just because they set up concentration camps & tortured so many in so many places in the world?-no need to fake evidence -lifetime lockup with no trial can be used.

[babooph]

Why is it so terrible for a US citizen to own an assault rifle& so nice that Israelis, [ only if they are Jews],to walk around with one-US propaganda has done a great job of BRAINWASHING again!!

[indythoughts]

So does this mean we shouldn't believe Israel when they conclude everything is the fault of Palestinions and the 2 year olds they kill were holding an assault rifle?

[docpeter1953]

No, they don't need to fabricate DNA for this one. It was the two-year-old Palestinian holding an AK-47.

[John_Merritt]

As the world turns. God Bless those Israeli's. With the knowledge and technology they have at their disposal, is there anything they can't prove or disprove?

[docpeter1953]

They still can't prove whether it was/is creationism or The Big Bang.