DNAPrint Genomics
Encyclopedia
DNAPrint Genomics was a genetics
company with a wide range of products related to genetic profiling. They provided forensic and consumer products, mostly based around finding "Ancestry Informative Markers" in DNA samples that they claimed enabled them to correctly identify the ancestry of a human based on a sample of their DNA. The company ceased operations in February 2009.
looking to learn more about their genealogy.
In 2006, Scotland Yard
and London's Metropolitan Police
announced that they would be investigating the use of DNAWitness to narrow suspects in the search for a long-standing effort to capture a serial rapist known as the Minstead Rapist
.
DNAWitness was used in 2007 to help narrow down suspects in the investigation into the 2002 murder of Pam Kinamore. Though the police dragnet
was initially looking for white suspects based on an early eyewitness, DNAPrint Genomics was later contracted to test the DNA sample, and concluded that the suspect was of "substantial African ancestry".
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
company with a wide range of products related to genetic profiling. They provided forensic and consumer products, mostly based around finding "Ancestry Informative Markers" in DNA samples that they claimed enabled them to correctly identify the ancestry of a human based on a sample of their DNA. The company ceased operations in February 2009.
Consumer applications
DNAPrint Genomics' flagship product was "AncestryByDNA", a DNA test for its consumers that breaks down the percentage ancestry of a client, based on these Ancestry Informative Markers in their DNA. It was marketed as a tool for personal genealogical research, and for adopteesAdoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
looking to learn more about their genealogy.
Forensic applications
DNAPrint's most controversial offering was "DNAWitness", a product that uses the same Ancestry Informative Markers for a forensic purpose. By using the same ancestry tests on DNA evidence from crime scenes, DNAPrint Genomics claimed that this product could help narrow down suspects based on race.In 2006, Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard is a metonym for the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service of London, UK. It derives from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place, which had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard. The Scotland Yard entrance became...
and London's Metropolitan Police
Metropolitan police
Metropolitan Police is a generic title for the municipal police force for a major metropolitan area, and it may be part of the official title of the force...
announced that they would be investigating the use of DNAWitness to narrow suspects in the search for a long-standing effort to capture a serial rapist known as the Minstead Rapist
Minstead Rapist
Delroy Easton Grant is a convicted rapist accused of carrying out a series of offences of burglary, rape and indecent assault dating between October 1992 and May 2009 in the South East London area of England...
.
DNAWitness was used in 2007 to help narrow down suspects in the investigation into the 2002 murder of Pam Kinamore. Though the police dragnet
Dragnet (policing)
A dragnet is any system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects; including road barricades and traffic stops, widespread DNA tests, and general increased police alertness. The term derives from a fishing technique of dragging a fishing net across the sea bottom, or through a...
was initially looking for white suspects based on an early eyewitness, DNAPrint Genomics was later contracted to test the DNA sample, and concluded that the suspect was of "substantial African ancestry".