ADVANCES IN DNA TECHNOLOGY AND ITS ROLE IN FORENSIC MEDICINE
Abstract
DNA technology has transformed forensic medicine by providing unprecedented accuracy in human identification, crime investigation, and the administration of justice. Since the discovery of DNA profiling in the 1980s, forensic scientists have been able to match biological samples to individuals with remarkable precision. This paper examines the historical development of DNA use in forensic medicine, the main methodologies applied in DNA analysis, and its broad applications in criminal justice, civil disputes, and humanitarian efforts. It also discusses limitations and ethical challenges, with attention to privacy, data protection, and the risk of misuse.
Keywords
forensic medicine, DNA profiling, STR analysis, genetic identification, criminal justice, forensic ethics, human rights.
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