More Forensic Facts: From the GRAVE

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I think forensic science is a very interesting subject and did some research on it a few years ago. If you watch American TV shows about crimes, you will get an earful of information about what forensic evidence can confirm. Identifying the criminals is just part of the picture however. As I mentioned in previous articles, forensic science has been used to identify genetic diseases in the ancestry of some families and also for confirming the ethnic background of a person or proving the paternity of someone by using their DNA profile. I found out that some people use genetic testing to see if they can find a link with historical figures. Many Illinois residents have compared their DNA to Abraham Lincoln. Others have wanted to prove that they are related to Robert E. Lee, the Romanovs, Billy the Kid and even Genghis Khan. In some cases, graves would have to be exhumed, but again, the ethical questions are brought up and lawyers get involved. Many states prohibit DNA testing without consent. Policymakers are busy trying to figure this all out. Mere curiosity is not a valid reason, they are saying. There is the case of Neil Armstrong’s barber selling his hair to someone who has a huge collection of celebrity hair. Armstrong was upset about that. Hair can be used to analyze such things as drug abuse, disease or paternity, and is stealing a person’s hair illegal? What do you think? Picture of Neil Armstrong by Pixabay