We all know a little bit about DNA. We know it contains your ‘mojo’ - the genetic code that makes you, well, you.

If a method can be devised to extract DNA from a crime scene, you’d be able to pinpoint the scoundrel, no problemo! And this is exactly what the clever forensic scientists are doing…

DNA (from as little as a single cell) is extracted from blood, semen, tissue hair or saliva found on the scene. It is then taken to the lab to analyse in order to derive a characteristic fingerprint, or pattern of repetition for certain strips of non-coding repetitive DNA. The scientists then compare this to DNA profiles held in the database. When two match they more than likely came from the same person or sometimes a close relative.

The hope is for these databases to one day hold the DNA files of an entire population - a matter that is stirring up controversy about privacy issues.

For the time being, scientists are working on perfecting the method through concocting even more sensitive methods of categorisation. Salute!