A DNA Anecdote on Solving Crimes

How Real is “Silence of the Lambs?”

Below, we ask Dr. Steve Cummings, “How real is Silence of the Lambs?” We’re looking at a scene where a forensic entomologist is examining a moth pupa to see if any clues can be found.

Dr. Steve Cummings, Geneticist

Silence of the Lambs, a classic thriller. Everyone loves Hannibal Lecter — he's an icon. I think we're about to watch a clip of the identification of the moth pupa.

Film

"Sphingidae," maybe. Boy, that's a big sucker. Okay, let's check the morphology.

Dr. Steve Cummings

Yeah, let's pause it here. This is really nicely done. I'm no forensic entomologist, but I have a friend who is. You could definitely identify the species of moth here. For those who haven't seen the film, the pupa was found in the throat of a victim, and they used it to help identify potential suspects.

Interviewer

What's the pupa?

Dr. Steve Cummings

The pupa is the cocoon that the moth develops in. It goes from its caterpillar phase into its moth phase.

Film

"Agent Starling meets Mr. Acherontia styx."

Dr. Steve Cummings

Let's pause it again. Death's-head Hawkmoth — yes. I'm not a forensic entomologist, or even an entomologist of any kind, but it's quite nicely done. The lab itself looks a bit jazzed up compared to what it would actually be, with a Gothic style fitting the overall tone of the film. But overall, it’s done well.

Can a Legal DNA Test or DNA Paternity Test Result Be Used to Solve a Crime?

Legal DNA testing and DNA immigration testing differs from forensic criminal DNA testing in its application and purpose. Legal DNA testing and immigration DNA testing are primarily used to establish biological relationships, such as parent-child (DNA paternity testing) or sibling connections (sibling DNA testing), to support visa, citizenship, or family reunification cases of parental responsibilities. In the same way as forensic DNA testing, it follows strict legal protocols to ensure the accuracy and validity of the results, but its focus is on confirming familial ties rather than criminal activity.

Forensic criminal DNA testing is used to identify suspects, link individuals to crime scenes, or exonerate the innocent. Both types of testing (legal DNA testing and criminal DNA testing) are legally regulated, but their objectives and legal contexts vary significantly.

Dr. Steve Cummings

Especially in America, many crimes have been solved by comparing crime scene DNA with DNA in public databases to find familial matches. This has been done multiple times, most famously in the case of the Golden State Killer. A notorious serial killer, he was caught many years after his crimes stopped. It turned out he was a police officer, and his DNA was matched through a publicly available database.

Interviewer:

Did he take the DNA test himself?

Geneticist:

I think it was one of his family members who took the DNA test, and they were able to say, "This person looks related to our prime suspect in these murders." When the murders were committed, DNA technology wasn’t as advanced as it is now.

How AttoLife Protect Genetic Data

While public DNA databases played a key role in solving the Golden State Killer case, it highlights important concerns around privacy and security when it comes to genetic data handling. At AttoLife, we prioritise the security and confidentiality of DNA test information, especially in our relationship verification services for legal purposes.

Unlike publicly accessible DNA databases, AttoLife's legal DNA testing data is tightly controlled and never shared with third parties or the public. In fact, our processes are verified by the Ministry of Justice, and we hold ISO 17025 accreditation, which sets us apart in terms of quality, accuracy, and security in laboratory testing.

ISO 17025 is an internationally recognised standard specifically for testing and calibration laboratories. This accreditation means that AttoLife has demonstrated competence and reliability in every step of the legal DNA testing process, from sample collection to data reporting. It ensures that we follow strict guidelines to prevent any unauthorised access to personal genetic information, and our testing is conducted with a level of precision that meets the highest legal and scientific standards.

When handling a DNA test for legal purposes, AttoLife uses rigorous chain-of-custody procedures, ensuring that each sample is tracked from the moment it is collected until the final report is delivered. This includes secure, tamper-evident packaging for samples, restricted access to DNA laboratory areas, and encrypted storage of all genetic data. The ISO 17025 accreditation guarantees that these procedures are regularly audited and meet the legal requirements for DNA testing in the UK and internationally.

Request a Quotation for a Legal DNA Test

If you would like a peace of mind DNA test, head over to our partner AssureDNA. For legal DNA tests or immigration DNA tests, you can request a quote here.