Israeli Scientists Prove DNA Evidence Can Be Faked

[daedalus_dude]

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/132965

(IsraelNN.com) So, you thought that DNA evidence was foolproof? Think again.

Israeli scientists have discovered a way to prove that DNA evidence can be faked.

...

So much for the "We have the technology to ensure no innocents will get the death penalty" argument.

[paulsby]

1. that's a false hope, i agree

i think anybody who supports the death penalty has to be pragmatic and accept that innocent (iow they didn't do it) person could get the penalty and be killed.

we don't have perfect knowledge. it's a false hope.

[Mrs. Ted Nancy]

2. That is a very sensationalist headline

It definitely catches the reader's attention.

It would take some very motivated criminals to pull that off. They would have to have access to the type of equipment and materials to do this.
From the article:

In blood, red cells do not contain DNA, so the team removed white cells from a sample and planted their fabricated DNA in the blood instead.

In the second experiment, the team used a pooled sample of many people's DNA profiles that were stored in law enforcement databases. The scientists cloned tiny snippets of the DNA, created a library from the data, and simply mixed the elements together to match any profile required. According to Frumkin's team, such a "library" of 425 different DNA snippets could cover any possible profile.

Frumkin followed up the experiments by creating a test that could differentiate between a true DNA sample and a fake, using the fact that the amplified DNA used in either fabrication is not methylated -- it lacks specific molecules, and can thus be identified.

This may be a non-issue if they were able to develop an assay to detect cloned DNA. I think it is just easier to use someone's hair etc. than going to the trouble of manufacturing cloned DNA to leave at a crime scene. IMHO

[Iggo]

3. The problem would be the cops, not the criminals.

[votingupstart]

4. dosent that company also sell a test to detect cloned DNA ...

nothing like a sensational statement to rack up sales -