And future work will include DNA typing mice for The Jackson Laboratory research facility planned for the campus. We used to type 1,000 samples per year. After processing, a DNA sample taken from blood or epithelial cells presents itself graphically as a series of taller peaks of varying heights separated by flatter areas and shorter peaks. The height of the taller peaks, or markers, and the varying space between them are unique to every individual. And up to 24 different markers are analyzed during the course of a forensics case.
Cases take about a month to resolve.
The rest of the time is spent on checking and rechecking results. Given the time put into most cases, the forensics work is not always profitable, Byrns said. Some cases pay for themselves, others don't. And income from parentage work might have to occasionally subsidize forensics research. Cases UC Davis has worked on range in severity from trespassing to murder, but Eggleston has yet to appear in a courtroom.