Here, at Pharmacom, we specialize in the field of Forensic DNA Analysis for human identification. This area of expertise is concerned with the examination of biological evidence and determining its source. For example, can a bloodstain or semen stain found at a crime scene be identified as originating from a particular individual (suspect, victim) or not? Can the skeletal remains found in the woods be that of a child reported missing five years ago? Can a man convicted of rape fifteen years ago be exonerated if the evidence used to convict him is re-tested today? The answer to all of these questions is YES, all of the above are possible with DNA testing technology and expertise available at our laboratory.

Pharmacom offers the most up to date technology available. All of our test methods are based on the Noble Prize-winning PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test. We are also one of the few laboratories in the world that will test both for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Thus, we can exam evidence as diverse as semen and bloodstains, hair shafts, bone, teeth, fetal material and saliva stains. Soiled clothing, sexual assault examination kits, skeletal remains, cigarette butts, teeth or even items such knife handles that do not have any apparent stains on them are now all potential sources of DNA evidence.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the molecule responsible for all inherited genetic traits. There are two types of DNA found in each human cell (with the exception of red blood cells). They are nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA. Nuclear DNA is found in the nucleus portion of the cell. Each individual inherits one half of their DNA from their father and the other from their mother. The majority of Forensic DNA tests performed will analyze the nuclear DNA. Some tissues however, like bone and hair shafts, contain small quantities of nuclear DNA, but have an ample amount of mitochondrial DNA. This DNA is found in the cellular organelle called the mitochondrion and is inherited only from the mother. Nuclear DNA is most likely to be tested in such items of evidence as blood, semen or saliva stains or criminal paternity cases. Mitochondrial DNA is useful in body identifications when only bone or teeth are available or cases when analysis of a hair shaft of unknown origin is requested.