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DNA Profiling, Genetic Fingerprinting, and the Wild West Jade Evans STEM185 American Military University Professor Craig 20FEB24

Part I and II In 1984, a British geneticist by the name of Sir Alec Jeffreys discovered DNA fingerprinting “by studying a set of DNA fragments that proved to have unique characteristics, which were nonrecurring and intrinsic for each individual” (Bukyya JL, et al. (2021)). Jeffreys used his approach to find and collect DNA, called restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), a very long and drawn-out process. This process later became known as genetic fingerprinting and would soon assist crime scene investigators in solving murder cases, forever changing forensic science and the justice system. The year was 1986 in the United Kingdom. Richard Buckland, 17 years old, was accused of the rape and murder of 15-year-old Dawn Ashworth. Buckland was able to recant many details about the crime that had not been released to the public, making him a prime suspect at the time. Two cases around this time were very similar in detail. Buckland confessed to the second case, involving Ashworth, but the DNA collected by investigators did not match the DNA from the first case. Investigators heard of Jeffreys’s work on genetic fingerprinting and requested his assistance on this case. For the first time in forensic science and criminal justice history, DNA fingerprinting successfully solved a murder case. Richard Buckland was cleared as a suspect after DNA findings were found inconclusive. The new technology was able to assist investigators in finding the killer and clearing an innocent man of a possible life sentence. Today, DNA profiling is used by businesses, and investigators, for immigration purposes, and medical research. Jeffreys’s work on DNA and genetic fingerprinting has exponentially changed how cases are solved today. “Since its development, DNA fingerprinting has led to the conviction of 1

numerous criminals and to the freeing from prison of many individuals who were wrongly convicted” (Britannica (2024)). Genetic fingerprinting was primarily used for forensic science and crime scene investigation but has become useful in many other situations. Businesses use fingerprinting and DNA profiling for pre-employment purposes to ensure clean criminal records. It is also used for immigration purposes when immigrants are applying for citizenship. Medical research also utilizes genetic fingerprinting and profiling to study possible ways to expand new genetic testing. Genetic fingerprinting and DNA testing continue to be a crucial tool in solving both new and old cases. Part III If DNA profiling or genetic fingerprinting had emerged in a different period, such as the Wild West (a portion of the American Frontier) the development of this technology may not have grown or been as helpful for crime scene investigation. Imagine the year is 1865, the Civil War has just ended. Wars, gunslingers, dangerous outlaws, and American pioneers were all fighting for land and pushing to the edge of the continent. The Wild West is notorious for massacres and tall tales of gunfights and murders. While some of these stories may prove to be exaggerated and full of lore, the Wild West was certainly a dangerous time for many. The Wild West remains one of the most alluring periods in history because of the brutality and legends. According to research done at The Ohio State University - Criminal Justice Research Center, an adult who “lived in Dodge City from 1876 to 1885 faced at least a 1 in 61 chance of being murdered—1.65 percent of the population was murdered in those 10 years” (Criminal Justice Research Center (2011)). Although most murders and crimes were solved at the time, there are several dozen, possibly hundreds of unsolved murders from this 2

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period. Imagine DNA profiling and genetic fingerprinting had been introduced during the gruesome Wild West. The introduction of genetic fingerprinting during such a violent period may have changed the rate of crime and murder. Sheriffs during this period would have had assistance with this technology in collecting DNA and prosecuting individuals responsible. There may have been a true development of a justice system as a result of DNA profiling. Crimes would have been solved more effectively and contributed to a safer environment. If this level of technology arose during the 19th century, we may have an even greater understanding of forensic science today. Imagine the number of cold cases that may have been solved as a result! Part IV The introduction of technology such as genetic fingerprinting during a period with countless murders and crimes may have resulted in an early development of forensic science understanding. Ultimately, an early development may or may not have decreased the number of murders or crimes because there was very little to no understanding of this kind of technology. Even with the introduction of genetic fingerprinting, the sheriffs and law enforcement system established during this time may not have understood the benefit of such an advancement. Introducing advanced technology to an underdeveloped society may result in a lack of understanding of the technology itself. STEM research is gradual and usually builds on previous discoveries and advancements. Forensic science and DNA research began in 1900 and were not utilized in crime investigations until Jeffreys’s discovery in 1984. Today, we use DNA profiling and fingerprinting to solve murders, rape cases, and crimes daily. The forensic scientists hard at work on these cases have a true understanding of the 3

technology and have the ability to apply their knowledge to their work. Moving forward, we can continue to ensure a true understanding of the technology we are researching before introducing it to the STEM field. Researchers can continue to look for advancements that will improve quality of life or contribute greatly to society and the STEM field. Advancements such as DNA profiling and genetic fingerprinting allowed for a safer environment by ensuring suspects are caught and properly tried in the justice system. Continuing forward with advancements such as these will allow society to reap more benefits from the STEM field. 4

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, February 17). DNA fingerprinting. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/DNA-fingerprinting Bukyya JL, Tejasvi MLA, Avinash A, P CH, Talwade P, Afroz MM, Pokala A, Neela PK, Shyamilee TK, Srisha V. DNA Profiling in Forensic Science: A Review. Glob Med Genet. 2021 May 31;8(4):135-143. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1728689. PMID: 34877570; PMCID: PMC8635824. Criminal Justice Research Center - OSU. (2011). Table and figures from “criminologists and historians of crime: A partnership well worth pursuing,” and “homicide rates in the American west” by Randolph Roth . The Ohio State University. https://cjrc.osu.edu/research/interdisciplinary/hvd/homicide-rates-american-west Roewer L. DNA fingerprinting in forensics: past, present, future. Investig Genet. 2013 Nov 18;4(1):22. doi: 10.1186/2041-2223-4-22. PMID: 24245688; PMCID: PMC3831584. Randolph Roth, Michael D. Maltz, and Douglas L. Eckberg, "Homicide Rates in the Trans- Mississippi West in the Nineteenth Century." Western Historical Quarterly (forthcoming in 2011). Saad R. Discovery, development, and current applications of DNA identity testing. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2005 Apr;18(2):130-3. doi: 10.1080/08998280.2005.11928051. PMID: 16200161; PMCID: PMC1200713. 5

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