Page Sec1:39 - Labyrint 2013 - English Edition

DNA is inherited from our mother, half
from our father.
“Ninety-nine point seven per cent of hu-
man genes are shared between all indi-
viduals. The remaining 0.3% is where the
differences are, what makes us individu-
als. These differences are what we use in
forensic genetics,” Hansen says.
She explains that making a DNA profile
using today’ methods, it is necessary to
isolate 17 genetic markers from the DNA
sample. Comparing these 17 markers
enables scientists and researchers to dif-
ferentiate people.
Stine Hansen’s master’s degree, however,
focuses on an alternative method that
only requires five markers. The method
is faster and more efficient, and gives
information that we could only dream
about in the past.
Need for DNA analysis
With her five years of education, Hansen
feels ready to assist the police in fight-
ing crime. In her new job as the depart-
ment engineer at the Forensic Medicine
­Centre at UiT, she has all of the equip-
ment she needs.
“The problem is, our centre hasn’t
started up yet. We have the labs, equip-
ment and people, but we’re missing the
IT system that connects us to the police
and KRIPOS, Norway’s National Crimi-
nal Investigation Service.
The Forensic Medicine Centre’s vision
is to have the capacity to analyse 20-25
per cent of the country’s DNA tests.
That way the police will get results from
important DNA samples faster, as there
currently tends to be a delay in getting
results.
“There is no doubt that we need another
forensics laboratory in Norway. Current-
ly, the only place that can do forensic
DNA analysis in Norway is the Division
of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse
Research in Oslo, which is a part of the
Norwegian Institute of Public Health,”
says Thomas Berg, a senior adviser at
UiT’s Centre of Forensic Genetics.
“Sometimes, during complicated crimi-
nal cases, there is a need for a ‘second
opinion’, a new, separate and independ-
ent evaluation. This needs to come from
a different lab, which emphasizes the
need for two DNA labs in Norway, as a
part of the effort to tighten the law,” he
adds.
The centre, which is co-located with the
Faculty of Health Sciences at UiT, also
wants to be able to conduct research and
to teach.
“Denmark has already started to use
the method that I learned. The 17-point
method we use here in Norway was
introduced in the early 1990’s, so I hope
that I can contribute with the expertise
that I have,” Hansen says.
She points out that the current technique
used in Norwegian DNA analysis, isn’t
bad.
“The current method is accurate, but
the new method provides more detailed
information. In addition, it is faster
and more efficient. It is important that
Norway keeps up with the latest research
developments,” she says.
DNA and Crime Fighting
With the exception of identical twins, each person’s DNA is unique to that person. The genetic material also provides information
about a person’s biological origin. This is why it is can be used in identification.
Under Norwegian law, biological material for DNA testing can be taken from any individual who with just cause is suspected of a
criminal offense that may result in imprisonment (Law for Criminal Procedures). The same applies to anyone who is convicted of
these kinds of offenses.
A national DNA database has been established for use in fighting crime, where individual DNA profiles can be registered.
Biological material can also be taken in the context of the Immigration Act and the Children’s Act (for paternity cases).
Sources: Straffeprosessloven, utlendingsloven, barneloven, farskap.no, Helsefak
What is DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid is the chemical term for the hereditary material known as DNA. DNA in the cell’s nucleus contains all of the
information about an organism’s development and appearance.
DNA molecules are long twisted threads composed of four different molecules. The molecules are put together in a “recipe” that
determines the organism’s make up. A single strand of DNA from a human is about two meters long.
Regjeringen.no, dammskolen.no
Where is DNA?
DNA is found in all of our nucleated cells, meaning all cells in the body’s organs, skin, mucus membranes, and certain quantities in all
bodily fluids. That makes it possible to analyse DNA from traces of blood and sperm, or traces of saliva (on cigarette butts, bottles,
masks…) and traces of skin (on tools and surfaces).
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