International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Bhawna Sharma, Ritika Sinha
Abstract: – Sexual assault is a pressing global public health issue, with forensic experts recognising that the majority of such cases remain unreported. In India only, 31,677 rape cases are reported annually, averaging 86 daily, with only 3-5 solved each day. However, to identify suspected culprits, reported incidents require thorough investigations. DNA samples play a vital role in forensic investigations, particularly in cases of sexual assault, where they can provide critical evidence for identifying perpetrators. When collected from a crime scene or the victim's body, DNA evidence often serves as a vital source of clues, playing a pivotal role in the identification process and aiding in the resolution of cases. Extracting a genetic profile involves several stages: extraction, quantification, amplification, separation of STR fragments, and genotyping. While accurate profiling is possible when samples contain sufficient, high-quality genetic material, this ideal scenario is often challenging. Many cases involve samples with degraded or insufficient DNA from the perpetrator, complicating forensic analyses using current methodologies. DNA degradation, influenced by environmental factors, impacts samples from crime scenes, leading to varying degrees of integrity loss. By implementing proper methods and understanding degradation levels, we can prevent sample degradation, leading to faster and more reliable investigation results. Understanding the causes and mechanisms of DNA degradation is essential for improving analysis techniques. Degradation affects DNA universally, eroding its quality over time. Environmental factors such as light exposure, preservation techniques, and material type cause varying deterioration patterns in samples. This thesis investigates biological samples commonly encountered in sexual assault cases, analyzing factors that influence their condition and the rate of DNA degradation during the initial case days. It is a comparative study of degradation trends in forensic fluids, such as semen and vaginal fluid, under different environmental conditions. The study is intended to increase knowledge on DNA integrity to enhance forensic techniques and resolve challenges presented by degraded samples.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15743994
