1.

DNA ANALYSIS
2. BLOOD ALCOHOL
DETERMINATION
BY: MARY ANN QUILANG DEOGRACIAS
 DNA ANALYSIS

• DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid – is the hereditary material that

contains the genetic information necessary for the duplication of cells
and production of proteins in all living organisms.
• Chemically, it is an acid, is phosphorous rich, contains a deoxyribose
sugar, and it contains the four nitrogenous bases – adenine, cytosine,
thymine, and guanine.
• It is a double helix composed of two complimentary strands.
• Dr. Alec Jeffreys – applied DNA to crime investigation
 DNA in Forensics

DNA has been a powerful criminal justice tool in the past decade.
Human tissues such as hair, blood, and semen are often left in places
where crimes are committed. By careful collection, such pieces of
evidence have all been used to help identify criminals with incredible
accuracy. DNA can also be used to clear suspects and free persons
mistakenly accused or convicted of crimes. Hence, DNA technology
plays a very important role in ensuring accuracy and fairness in the
criminal justice system.
 Advantages of Using DNA for Human
Identification

1. DNA is stable since it can be isolated from material that is months or

even years old.
2. DNA can be obtained from a wide variety of biological sources like
blood, semen, hair, saliva, and bone.
3. DNA can be replicated in the laboratory from a very small amount
of initial material through the process called PCR (Polymerase
Chain Reaction).
4. DNA show greater variability from one individual to another.
 Biological Evidence That Can Be
Submitted for DNA Analysis

 Semen and seminal stains

 Blood and blood stains
 Hair with follicles or roots
 Tissues and cells
 Saliva or buccal swab
 Bones and organs
Line-up Cases Where DNA Analysis
Can Be of Help

 Sexual assault cases like rape

 Murder
 Homicide
 Extortion
 Paternity case
 Robbery
 Hit and run cases
 Identification of remains from mass disaster cases and
missing persons
 How is DNA Analysis Done?

DNA typing is done first by carefully extracting the DNA from

the evidentiary sample. The DNA is then analyzed to give a
particular pattern. The patterns are compared with that of a
known individual to determine a match.
 BLOOD ALCOHOL
CONCENTRATION DETERMINATION

Purpose of blood alcohol concentration determination

• To determine whether a person is intoxicated or not with liquor.

• To determine the concentration of ethyl alcohol present in the
blood sample taken from the person suspected to have been
intoxicated with alcohol.
 Laboratory Examination

Gas Chromatography method

The examination is conducted quantitatively to determine the
amount of alcohol present in the blood of the suspect.
 Effects of Blood Alcohol (Ethanol)
Concentration
Stage of Intoxication Percent of ethanol in the Clinical Manifestation
Blood
Stimulation 0.01-0.10 Normal by ordinary
observation
Decreased inhibition,
Emotional instability,
Apparent stimulation 0.05- 0.20
incoordination
Confusion 0.10-0.30 Disturbance of sensation,
decreased pain sense,
slurred speech

Stupor 0.25-0.40 Marked decrease to stimuli

approaching paralysis
Coma or death 0.35-0.50 Complete unconsciousness,
subnormal temperature,
impairment of circulation
FORENSIC
DRUG ANALYSIS

By: Mary Ann Q. Deogracias

Forensic Drug Analysis
Refers to the process of identification and
quantification of specimens of illegal drugs.

Drug Chemist
A drug chemist is a specialist who conducts an
analysis of drugs/controlled substances confiscated from
crime scenes.
The Purpose of Drug Analysis

The ultimate purpose of forensic drug analysis is to

ensure such evidence is legally admissible as evidence in a
court of law. That's why it's an investigator's job to ensure the
integrity of the drug evidence they have collected, from the
time they laid their hands on it until the time it is presented
as evidence in court.
Two Methods Used in Drug Analysis

1. Screening Test/Preliminary Test (also known as Color test)

o Screening test includes a series of Color tests producing specific
characteristic colors for each drug.
o Some of these Color tests include the Marquis test and Simon’s test

2. Confirmatory Test
o Confirmatory test is employed to confirm the result of the screening or
preliminary
o Uses techniques and chemical principles in order to ensure reliability
and accuracy.
Three Types of Confirmatory Tests

1. Thin layer chromatography (TLC)

2. Spectrophotometry
3. Gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry
1. Thin Layer Chromatography

- A chromatographic technique used to separate the

components of a mixture using a thin stationary phase
supported by an inert backing.

- In the analysis of drugs, TLC requires the comparison

between the specimen in question and the standard.
2. Spectrophotometry (UIV and IR)

- A confirmatory test that utilizes light(spectrum) to identify

the specimen.
3. Gas Chromatography-Mass
Spectrophotometry

- Combination of gas chromatography and mass

spectrophotometry.
- The sample specimen is exposed to high-energy electrons,
causing the sample specimen to break apart or fragment.
- The fragmentation patterns serve as the “fingerprint” of the
chemical substance.
Drug Test

- The process of determining the presence of drugs and their

metabolites in the human body through body fluids such as
urine, saliva ,or sweat.
- Other specimens that can be used in drug
test are; blood, fingernails, hair, and tissue
Urine Drug Test

- The most commonly used method of drug detection in the

human body.
- It has the ability to test for the presence of prescribed drugs and
illicit drugs.
- It can determine the presence of a wide variety of drugs such
as methamphetamines, alcohol, barbiturates, amphetamines,
cocaine, marijuana, and opioids. It can also detect the presence
of nicotine.
Reliability of Urine Drug Test
- Urine drug test uses cut-off levels which means that if the
amount of drug is above a certain level, that is the only time that
it is considered as positive.
Detection Times
- The urine drug test can detect the drug for a longer time if a
person uses drugs frequently or heavily.
- Example is marijuana, its detection time is dependent on how
often a person uses it.
Detection Times

Frequency of marijuana use Detection times after use

Single use 3 days

Moderate use, or 4 times per week 5–7 days

Daily use 10–15 days

Heavy use more than 30 days