“Standard molecular biology techniques such as PCR, molecular cloning, and recently developed whole genome amplification (WGA), enable anyone with basic equipment and know-how to produce practically unlimited amounts of in vitro synthesized (artificial) DNA with any desired genetic profile.” Authentication of forensic DNA samples in Forensic Science International: Genetics. 2010 Volume 4, Issue 2, Pages 95–103 by Dan Frumkin, Adam Wasserstrom, Ariane Davidson, and Arnon Grafit
The forensic reliance on DNA evidence is based on the idea that each individual (other than identical twins) has their own unique, unchanging DNA profile. Finding DNA at a crime scene presumably means that the DNA donor was present at the scene. However, in 2009, a group of scientists were able to successfully manufacture artificial DNA from two sources, a cigarette butt and a DNA database. Using, “basic laboratory equipment and commercial kits,” these DNA samples were easily “incorporated into genuine human tissues,” such as blood and saliva. (Frumkin et. al) These tissues were then submitted to a leading forensics lab that was unable to differentiate the fake sample from natural genetic material. Though it is relatively easy to tell the difference between real and manufactured DNA (simply by looking for a lack of methylation), current DNA analysis technology used in forensics labs do not differentiate between the two.
Based on the ease with which artificial DNA can be fabricated, lawyer Kristen Bolden argued in the Georgia State Law Review for, “the need to reevaluate the way we look at DNA admissibility and reliability.” Likewise, Kevin Paget, NCSTL Science and Law Fellow, wrote a paper highlighting the risk that manufactured DNA poses for prosecutors relying in DNA evidence.
Since the original publication of this research in 2010, manufacturing DNA has become commonplace. There are now numerous companies, such as Aldevron and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. that are, “engaged in the large-scale production of specific DNA sequences,” for research purposes.
Although there are no documented cases of artificial DNA in the American court system, it seems likely that it is only a matter of time before an enterprising criminal decides to engineer their own crime scene by planting manufactured DNA.
References and Resources
Authentication of forensic DNA samples in Forensic Science International: Genetics. Volume 4, Issue 2, Pages 95–103 by Dan Frumkin, Adam Wasserstrom, Ariane Davidson, and Arnon Grafit.
https://www.fsigenetics.com/article/S1872-4973(09)00099-4/abstract?code=fsigen-site
DNA Evidence Can Be Fabricated, Scientists Show in New York Times, by Andrew Pollack.
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/science/18dna.html?ref=science
Lab Creates Fake DNA Evidence in Scientific American by Katherine Harmon.
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/news-blog/lab-creates-fake-dna-evidence-2009-08-18/
DNA Fabrication, A Wake Up Call: The Need to Reevaluate the Admissibility and Reliability of DNA Evidence in Georgia State University Law Review, Vol. 27 Issue 2 (2011) by Kristen Bolden.
https://readingroom.law.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1018&context=gsulr
‘Making’ the Case: Manufactured DNA and the New Forensic Landscape for the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology & the Law by Kevin Paget.
http://mobile.ncstl.org/evident/Manufactured%20DNA%20Paget
Aldevron web page
http://www.aldevron.com/services/plasmid-dna-production
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. web page
http://adnas.com/