Question

Which of the following describes an incident in which a mutation in dna can be helpful to forensic scientists?

A. it changes a person's behavior and makes them commit a crime.
B. it stabilizes a person's genetic code in multiple locations.
C. it causes a change in the dna but not in someone's traits.
D. it produces a unique physical characteristic that identifies a suspect.

Answer 1

In forensic science, a mutation that produces a unique physical characteristic or a specific genetic marker can be beneficial as it helps identify a suspect, due to the uniqueness of each individual's DNA sequence.

Step-by-step explanation:

A mutation in DNA is a change in the nucleotide sequence that can have various effects on an organism, ranging from detrimental to neutral, or even beneficial. In the context of forensic science, a mutation can be particularly useful when it produces a unique physical characteristic or a specific genetic marker that can help to identify a suspect.

This is because each person's DNA is unique, and differences in DNA sequences can be detected through DNA analysis, making it a powerful tool in forensics.

For instance, if a mutation causes a distinctive trait or a specific pattern in the DNA that is not commonly found in the general population, this can help forensic scientists to match DNA found at a crime scene with a suspect's DNA, thereby providing strong evidence in criminal investigations.