earticle

영어

Evidence contamination may occur due to human or environmental factors during the process of collecting evidence at the crime scene or analyzing it in a laboratory. At this time, the detection of contaminated DNA profile may lead to wrong decision of the investigation direction and have an unnecessary effect on the case, resulting in waste of manpower and time. In order to prevent such analysis errors, the establishment of the DNA database of the investigators and analysts for the purpose of exclusion is an important factor for improving the quality of analysis. In this study, we analyzed the status of the elimination DNA database to date, the number of matched investigation personnels by year, and the characteristics according to the type of evidence. We also reviewed possible routes of contamination and plans to improve the quality of the DNA examination. Since the DNA examination began in 1992, and until December 2020, 3,276 investigators, 611 analysts, and 34 coroner, a total of 3,921 were uploaded onto the DNA database. Various methods have been proposed to prevent contamination of evidence, including frequent replacement of gloves, masks, and lab coats, restriction of access to the location of the crime scene and the laboratory, periodic cleaning and prevention of contamination of the test area and equipment. Furthermore, it is necessary for investigation personnels to continuously recognize the contamination routes.