Touch DNA analysis involves analyzing skin cells left behind when a person touches an item. The document discusses 3 cases where touch DNA analysis was used: the JonBenet Ramsey case, the trial of James Cooper and James Kouzaris where touch DNA on jeans helped convict Shawn Tyson, and the case of Peggy Hetrick where touch DNA exonerated Tim Masters and pointed to one of the victim's former boyfriends. The student contributors were excited to learn about this new forensic technique called touch DNA analysis.

1. Advances in Forensic Science!

2. Timothy Babcock
James Brown
Chasity Cowan

3.  When
an assailant leaves behind skin cells,
after touching a victim, a weapon, or other
item at a crime scene. (2012. Houck, max. &
Houck, Lucy. Forensic Experts. “Scientific
America.)

4. Cases- This newer method was utilized in the Jon Benet
Ramsey case, in 1996. Boulder County District Attorney,
Mary Lacy learned of this new technique when she
attended a course at the West VA University Forensic
Science Initiative.
(2012. Author Unknown. “Scientific America, What is
Touch DNA?”) Contributor-Timothy Babcock
During the murder trial of James Cooper and James
Kouzaris, prosecutors used touch DNA to help convict,
Shawn Tyson. DNA trace had been found on jeans of one of
the victims. Tyson was accused of murdering Cooper and
Kouzaris. Tyson’s DNA was only found on one victim. The
jeans being porous it was difficult to find DNA on both of
the victims. (2012. Anderson C. “Tyson Case: Attorneys
Say Use of Touch DNA to Show Guilt Rare.) ContributorJames Brown

5. In February of 1987, Peggy Hetrick was brutally stabbed and sexually
assaulted. The case had gone unsolved for more than a decade, until
1998, when Fort Collins Police obtained an arrest warrant to capture,
Tim Masters. Touch DNA analysis was used in this case and Tim Masters
was exonerated. The DNA evidence had pointed to one of the victims
former boyfriends.
Contributor- Chasity Cowan

6. Project contributors are excited about this new scientific
advancement, and until researching this new technology some
students were not aware of its existence. Feelings about touch DNA
are positive, and there is great potential for this new scientific
advancement.