I Want A Name!
From the BBC: Forensic scientists could use DNA retrieved from a crime scene to predict the surname of the suspect, according to a new British study. Well, sure - surnames are inherited, just like DNA.
To me this really puts in perspective the outrageously incompetent investigation of Cape Cod prosecutor Michael O'Keefe into the murder of fashion writer Christa Worthington. Worthington's body was found on her kitchen floor, naked from the waist down, her 2-year old daughter by her side. The idiot O'Keefe had a DNA sample but couldn't match it to his main suspects, men who had the audacity to be romantically involved with the attractive, single woman. After floundering for 3 years, Sherlock O'Keefe resorted to asking every man in the town to provide a DNA sample, an outrage that was rightfully resisted. It turns out that the DNA belonged to the victim's black garbage man, who was interviewed three weeks after the murder and whose DNA was finally taken two years later. O'Keefe could have found out the race of the suspect just from the DNA, if he'd only thought to ask. Sounds like a typical latter-day New England Puritan - equally horrified that an unmarried woman in her 40's could be having sex or that a man's DNA could tell you his race.
The method exploits genetic likenesses between men who share the same surname, and may help prioritise inquiries. The technique is based on work comparing the Y chromosomes of men with the same surname. The Y chromosome is a package of genetic material found only in males. It is passed down from father to son, just like a surname.This follows on some interesting studies recently indicating that surnames may indeed be indicative of actual patrilineal ancestry.
To me this really puts in perspective the outrageously incompetent investigation of Cape Cod prosecutor Michael O'Keefe into the murder of fashion writer Christa Worthington. Worthington's body was found on her kitchen floor, naked from the waist down, her 2-year old daughter by her side. The idiot O'Keefe had a DNA sample but couldn't match it to his main suspects, men who had the audacity to be romantically involved with the attractive, single woman. After floundering for 3 years, Sherlock O'Keefe resorted to asking every man in the town to provide a DNA sample, an outrage that was rightfully resisted. It turns out that the DNA belonged to the victim's black garbage man, who was interviewed three weeks after the murder and whose DNA was finally taken two years later. O'Keefe could have found out the race of the suspect just from the DNA, if he'd only thought to ask. Sounds like a typical latter-day New England Puritan - equally horrified that an unmarried woman in her 40's could be having sex or that a man's DNA could tell you his race.
posted by ziel | 2/21/2006 10:57:00 PM
2 Comments:
This follows on some interesting studies recently indicating that surnames may indeed be indicative of actual patrilineal ancestry.
Translation: this follows on some interesting studies showing that married woman are not as slutty as feared, or at least are careful not to get pregnant when being slutty.
At least not in those societies where last names are passed on.
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