Tag Archive: Casey Anthony Trial


2011 is  a year to remember. The news of Osama bin Laden’s death, the shocking Casey Anthony verdict and even Justin Bieber finds a spot in the top DNA stories of 2011. Besides DNA used in the court room and as an important identification tool in confirming deaths, genetics also made many landmark achievements this year. Check out the top stories below and see how DNA changed the world in one year. Who knows what 2012 will bring!

justin bieber 2 320 300x225 Osama bin Laden, Justin Bieber, Casey Anthony and more: Top DNA Stories of 2011Genetic Therapy Landmark made in British Lab: After a lot of trial and much error, a group of scientists have successfully cured six patients of hemophilia b, a blood-clotting disease that appeared to be treatable by gene therapy. Find out more about hemophilia and genetic therapy.

Justin Bieber Paternity Scandal: In November, young pop star, Justin Bieber was accused of fathering a 3-month old who belonged to Mariah Yeater (a Bieber fan). She claimed that Justin lost his virginity to her after his show when he was 16. After taking a DNA paternity test in New Jersey, Bieber was cleared of all accusations. Find out more about the scandal and Bieber’s accuser.

Surprising facts about Muammar Gaddafi found in DNA: The death of Gaddafi was a relief to the world, but after DNA testing was performed on the slain corpse of the ex-ruler of Libya, shocking DNA results proved that Gaddafi’s lifestyle was more vain and elaborate than people once thought. Find out what DNA testing revealed.

Osama Bin Laden Dead Body Photo Good Lawd 300x225 Osama bin Laden, Justin Bieber, Casey Anthony and more: Top DNA Stories of 2011Osama bin Laden’s death confirmed through DNA: It was the news that made headlines around the world and brought justice to many families who lost innocent loved ones 10 years ago. Osama bin Laden, the master mind behind the attacks on America on September 11, 2001, was found and killed by a U.S special force team. DNA was confirmed through a siblingship test.  Find out more details about Osama’s death.

Casey Anthony Trial; DNA was not enough: The world was shocked to hear “not guilty” during the verdict of the Casey Anthony trial in early July. A lack of Casey’s DNA on items found in the case and on Caylee Anthony’s body gave the jury reason to believe she was NOT guilty. What was Casey charged with in the end?

DNA’s role in Amanda Knox Case: A lack of DNA evidence set Amanda Knox free back in October when Italian courts reinvestigated the case between Knox and evidence found in the murder scene. After spending years in an Italian prison and developing a bad reputation among Europeans, Knox was set free. Find out more about the Knox case.

Sperm Banks Reject Gingers: One of the largest sperm banks in Denmark has an overflow of red head sperm donations, but not enough people requesting for the specific genetic look. It was a sad day for gingers when they actually found out that their genetic makeup was “unwanted.” Why are gingers not as popular?

Schwarzenegger and Shriver 1 300x254 Osama bin Laden, Justin Bieber, Casey Anthony and more: Top DNA Stories of 2011Blood Test Finds Baby’s Gender at 7 Weeks: Gender tasting made a huge stride in the summer when gender blood tests were reviewed and found 98% accurate. The tests were able to find a gender as early as 7 weeks into pregnancy. Where can you find a gender test this accurate?

Arnold Schwarzenegger Admits to Paternity of Love Child: The story that broke America’s hearts and Arnold’s family. News stories in May revealed a secret illegitimate love child that Arnold Schwartzenegger fathered years ago when sleeping with a woman who worked among his household staff.  DNA paternity tests revealed the shocking news was true. Find out more about Arnold’s secret son.

 

 

 

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It was announced earlier today that the jury had reached a verdict on the Casey Anthony murder trial and that Chief Judge Belvin Perry would be publicly reading the verdict at 2:15 p.m. EST. The world now knows that a jury of Casey Anthony’s peers has found her not guilty of murder in the first degree. Casey Anthony was also found not guilty for aggravated child abuse and not guilty for the aggravated manslaughter of a child.

casey anthony not guilty 300x211 How DNA Set Her Free: Casey Anthony Verdict NOT GUILTY for MurderSo how is it that after jurors deliberated nearly 11 hours to reach this verdict, Casey Anthony was only found guilty on four counts of providing false information to a law enforcement officer? The answer to that is DNA. The total lack of Casey Anthony’s DNA and forensic evidence on and around the remains of Caylee Anthony was  most likely the factor that caused to jury to find her not guilty.

What is DNA?

DNA is a genetic code twisted in a long chain known as a double helix. A double helix is comprised of four nucleotides (adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine) that all interlink to create your individual genetic code.

Each human being, unless a twin, holds a unique genetic marker comprised of DNA combined from your parents. Each of the 23 chromosomal pairs that link to make DNA is either comprised of one chromosome from your mother or your father.

The Role of DNA in Court

The unique marker, like fingerprints, is what makes DNA evidence so critical during a court case. It is difficult for any lawyer to question the credibility of proven science. And DNA has definitely proven to be direct indicators of guilt or innocence during a trial.

Casey Anthony Not Guilty DNA How DNA Set Her Free: Casey Anthony Verdict NOT GUILTY for MurderCollecting DNA Evidence

Did you know that it only takes a few cells to identify a suspect with relative certainty? DNA can be gathered from blood, skin, semen, hair, saliva, sweat, mucus or earwax. Did you know humans shed 30,000-40,000 skin cells a minute? Think about the sweat, blood or hair that can easily be left at a crime scene. Especially in the moments that unfortunately lead to murder.

This is why law enforcement officials must always ensure they handle evidence with the utmost care. The only way to discredit evidence is by proving that it has been contaminated.

The most common and major guidelines officials follow are:

  • To place evidence in paper bags, plastic bags produce moisture that can damage DNA.
  • DNA forensic evidence should also be kept somewhere cool to protect biological matter from heat.
  • Chain-of-custody must be followed to ensure that the DNA evidence hasn’t been tampered with on the way to the lab.

After officials did DNA analysis on the evidence collected from Caylee Anthony’s body it was found that there was no DNA evidence from Casey Anthony. The defense was even able to explain that the digital forensic evidence collected from the Anthony house computer was not enough to implicate Casey Anthony in the crime. And now Casey Anthony walks free.

How do you feel about this verdict?

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