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Briefcase Sized DNA Analysis System
An anonymous reader writes "Japan's NEC Corporation along with Aida Engineering have developed a briefcase-sized DNA analysis system that enables the police to perform comprehensive DNA testing at crime scenes in as little as 25 minutes. The same test would take at least a day to a week (if re-testing or conformation is required) in the lab. The system is compact enough to be carried to crime scenes or other locations where quick DNA analysis is required, making it the world's first portable DNA analysis system."
I wonder how this works; obviously, 25 minutes isn't enough time to perform any PCR (even something like hot start PCR), so does it rely on having sufficient amounts of DNA available to perform whatever test they're using? Sometimes that can be a not-inconsiderable amount.
I didn't read the article, but eh. Just wondering.
If firefighters fight fire, and crimefighters fight crime, what do freedom fighters fight? - George Carlin
Given that DNA tests become more mainstream, it would be rather interesting to see how large a percentage of the population actually is a chimera. If it turns out to be "popular", DNA tests could lose a lot of their credibility (in which case DNA-tests-at-the-counter become a hazard instead of a benefit).
Mmm. If you presented to a court that 'field DNA testing indicated that the sample we found came from the suspect, though when sent to control in the lab, results came back negative.' or some such, can't you just imagine your average jury going off and deciding that 'we have 50% DNA proof of guilt'?