University Daily Kansan / Thursday, April 7, 1988
9
High-tech hair tool
DNA analysis can aid crime solving
The Associated Press
NEW YORK - Scientists can now uncover genetic characteristics by analyzing a single hair shed by a person, a significant step in using high technology to solve crimes, researchers said.
The technique can help show that a suspect was at a crime scene where a hair has been found, said Russell Higuchi of Cetus Corp., Emeryville.
He and colleague Henry Erlich describe the work in today's issue of the British journal Nature.
The work focuses on DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, which forms tiny thread-like structures called chromosomes in every cell of the body.
Details of DNA sequences vary from person to person, and researchers have exploited that fact to help spline crimes by studying "DNA fingerprints."
In February, for example, a Florida jury convicted a 24-year-old man of rape after hearing testimony that his DNA matched that of semen left by the rapist.
Hair that has been ripped from the body, as in a struggle, often contains
enough living tissue in its root area to permit conventional DNA analysis
But police more often recover hair that has simply fallen off a person at a crime scene, and it contains far less DNA, experts said.
Higuchi and colleagues overcame that problem by using a laboratory technique called polymerase chain reaction, which creates 100 billion copies of a particular portion of DNA.
The ability to analyze a single shed hair is important, an FBI official said, because that is typically all that is available at crime scenes. In addition, multiple hairs from a crime scene come from different people, said forensic hair export Skip Palenik at McCrone Associates in Chicago.
Now, a shed hair is examined microscopically for its physical appearance, but different people can have similar-looking hairs. Palenik said the new report represented an important first step toward firm identification of people from a shed hair.
Tests show success rates of 40 to 70 percent, Higuchi said in a telephone interview. He said researchers planned to try an improved testing procedure.
Census report tracks home computer usage
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Millions of U.S. citizens have home computers, but only about half of the adults with them use them. The Census Bureau reported yesterday.
Nearly three-quarters of children who had access to a home computer used it, the report said.
?The seemingly low usage of home computers should not be too surprising, remarked Census Bureau statistics. Robert Kominski, the report's author.
"In any given household . . . it might not be unreasonable that only one person would use the computer. If may have been bought by one person for business activities," Komiski said in a telephone interview.
The Electronic Industries Association, a trade group, estimates that 11.6 million U.S. homes had computers as of last January.
The report was based on a survey of computer use taken in October and reporting the findings was delayed to ensure of other work. Kominski said.
'O
'O of 221 million U.S. citizens aged 3 and over in 1984, more than one in five — 21.1 percent - reported using computers.'
International Data Corp., a Boston-based market research group, estimates that 16.8 million small business computers were in use, as well as 3.2 million used in schools and 1.3 million in scientific research
Kominski's analysis is the first detailed look at use patterns and who owns the machines.
"In many respects the role of the computer is transparent to us; we often do not but merely see its end effects." Kominski wrote in his report.
Of 221 million U.S. citizens aged 3 and over in 1984, more than one in five — 21.1 percent — reported using computers.
April 7: LAS "Asi'Fue (So It Went)"
Video-a study of the 1984 Nicaraguan Elections. With rice and beans.
ON CAMPUS...please see pg.2
April 8: Friday Free Movie:
"Living on Tokyo Time"
7:30 p.m.
1204 Oread ECM Student Christian Center
April 10: Sunday Evening Worship and Supper 5:30 p.m.
Sponsored by
EQUINOMIC INSTITUTES
The Ecclesiastical Church
The Prophecyal Church (USA)
The United Church of Christ
The Church of the Incarnate Word
April 13: University Forum James Sanders "One God and World Peace" 11:40 a.m.: lunch Noon: speaker
BIKE SALE
Open Call*
10:00 a.m. Canbacks
1:30 p.m.
Room 209, Murphy Hall
Murphy Hall
*Sign up for audition time in 317 Murphy Hall
*Have 2-minute audition piece prepared
20% off any touring or racing bike
10% off any mountain bike
Save up to
$100
off our everyday low prices
One week only.
749-0636 1337 Mass.
UPTOWN BICYCLES
Community Auditions Sunday, April 17
Noises Off
Open Call** 1:30 p.m.
Room 208
a rollicking farce about a farce directed by Jack Wright July 21-24
For more information, contact Jack Wright 864-3893
om 209, Murphy Hall Murphy
**No advance sign-up required
**Prepared material preferred; cold reading material will be available
All summer rehearsals will be held in the evening
--at
The Face on the Barroom Floor an old-fashioned melodrama directed by Jack Wright July 7-10
Open Call Callbacks
1:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Room 209, Murphy Hall Murphy Hall
KANSAN
The Jazzhaus 9261/2Mass.
Thursday April 7 is Classic and Original Rock with The Backsliders.
Friday and Saturday
Chicago Blues with
Come see the best
April 8 and 9
Magic Slim & The Teardrop Don't miss out next Wednesday, April 13 It's a Blues Jam!!
Story Idea?
Call 864-4810
---
News 864-4810
Advertising 864-4358
GRINGOS'
3520 W. 6th
TWO FOR ONE BURGERS (Buy one get one free)
AND 75¢ DRAWS
EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT
HE HAD A DREAM
It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream..." — Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-68)
"I say to you today, my friends,
that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment
I still have a dream.
JOIN KING COMMEMORATION at HASKELL STADIUM SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 4 p.m.
Lutheran Campus Ministry
1204 Oread
Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.
843-4948 Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m
New Shipment of Aerobic Wear 20% Off
THE Fitness Factory
AEROBIC STUDIO
23rd & Louisiana
In The Malls
Shopping Center
Hunger? In Lawrence??
Learn about it tonight with— Bob Schumm, city commissioner expert panelists from the Lawrence Community, and KU professors.
7 p.m. - Plymouth Congregational Church Mayflower Room. 925 Vermont Free and open to the public!