Final answer:
The procedure for maintaining the integrity of a crime scene specimen is called establishing a chain of custody. It ensures that the evidence has not been altered or replaced and allows for reliable forensic analysis, such as DNA testing, to connect suspects to a crime.
Step-by-step explanation:
The procedure for obtaining a specimen from a victim of a crime, identifying the specimen correctly, keeping it under uninterrupted control of authorized personnel, and ensuring that the specimen has not been altered or replaced is called establishing a chain of custody.
This protocol is critical in forensic science because it guarantees that the evidence presented in court is authentic and directly linked to the incident in question. The chain of custody must be meticulously documented, indicating every person who had possession of the evidence and when.
This process ensures that the specimen, such as blood or skin cells, has not been tampered with from the time it is collected until it is analyzed for DNA matching.
In cases such as paternity testing or forensic investigations, technicians and forensic geneticists rely on DNA analysis to compare sequences and determine relationships or identities.
For example, similarities in DNA sequences can show whether a man is the father of a child or if a crime scene sample contains DNA that matches a suspect's DNA.
Fixation is a related concept where biological samples are prepared for analysis by attaching and preserving cells on a slide, maintaining the integrity of the specimen for observation.
Ultimately, the chain of custody ensures the integrity and reliability of forensic evidence, allowing for its use in criminal justice to solve crimes and establish links between suspects and criminal activity.