Forensic Biology Commons^™

The Longevity Of Dna From Bloodstains And Its Forensic Implications, Nadia Walter

Senior Honors Theses

Human DNA is valuable forensic evidence, helping to solve a wide range of cases. It is often sourced from biological fluids found at a scene such as blood, saliva, semen, and urine. Many different factors can influence the longevity of DNA sourced from bloodstains, including the type of substrate, storage conditions, and weather. The quality of a DNA sample from a bloodstain found at a crime scene may influence its admissibility in court.

Original research was done on a surgical table from the last major battle of the American Civil War, extracting DNA from latent bloodstains. Some full profiles were …

The Chemistry Of Decomposition: The Mechanisms To Decay The Human Body, Lydia J. Buxa

Senior Honors Theses

Taphonomic analysis separates decomposition into four major stages: fresh, early decomposition, advanced decomposition, and skeletonization. It is easy to demarcate the observable changes to the body, but it is far more difficult to know what underlying biochemical processes are occurring. Fresh decomposition begins with algor mortis, livor mortis, and rigor mortis, which sets the stage for the major workforces of decomposition: autolysis and putrefaction. The external signs of decomposition appear in early decomposition, which can be attributed to the breakdown of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. This also leads to major changes in the moisture levels during advanced decomposition, …