Biological Evidence
Definition
Biological evidence is material of biological origin examined to address a forensic question, including tissue, fluids, hair or trace biological components. Its usefulness depends on collection, preservation, analytical suitability and its supported relationship to the event being investigated.
Related terms
- Contact DNA
- A practical description of DNA recovered from a contact area, without proving the transfer route. It can include different biological components and...
- Inhibition
- Interference with an assay by substances or conditions, distinct from loss or fragmentation of the target. An internal control can help assess...
- Mitochondrial DNA
- DNA associated with mitochondria, with inheritance and discrimination different from standard nuclear STR profiles. Shortened STR designs can improve access to some...
- Nuclear DNA
- Nuclear DNA is DNA associated with a cell’s nuclear chromosomes, distinct from the mitochondrial genome. Forensic methods examine selected regions or other...
Explained in
- The Scope of Biological Evidence in Forensic ScienceMaterial of biological origin examined for a relevant forensic question.