Before the advent of DNA forensic science, solving crimes relied heavily on witness testimony, physical evidence, and circumstantial links.

Techniques like blood type analysis, matching fibres, or identifying weapons left at the scene were pivotal in drawing connections between criminals and their offences. The pre-DNA era posed significant challenges, but for crime writers, it’s a goldmine of intrigue—offering a canvas to craft narratives where cunning detectives and resourceful sleuths piece together crimes using intuition, observation, and innovation. Imagine a sleuth noticing a rare cigarette brand at multiple crime scenes or solving a murder with a perfectly timed alibi-breaker.

The introduction of DNA forensic science in legal systems transformed criminal investigations forever. DNA fingerprinting emerged in the 1980s as a groundbreaking tool, allowing investigators to identify suspects with unprecedented accuracy. However, its integration into legal systems varied across countries, creating gaps ripe for creative exploration.

* United Kingdom (1986): The UK became the pioneer of DNA evidence when it solved the infamous case of Colin Pitchfork using genetic fingerprinting. This groundbreaking moment marked a shift toward DNA-backed convictions.

* United States (1987): DNA entered the courtroom with the Florida case of Tommy Lee Andrews, ushering in widespread adoption. It wasn’t until the FBI’s CODIS system launched in the 1990s that DNA databases became game-changers.

* Australia (1989): DNA evidence debuted in Australian law in a murder trial—national DNA databases followed in the 2000s, reflecting an era of transformation in forensic investigation.

* Canada (1990): The first Canadian conviction using DNA evidence demonstrated its potential. Establishing the National DNA Data Bank in 2000 further strengthened its role in solving crimes.

* Germany (1993): DNA evidence entered German courts, gradually becoming a cornerstone of modern forensic practices. In the late 1990s, the creation of a comprehensive database closed countless cold cases.

For writers, these staggered adoption dates present captivating gaps where older, unresolved cases could be revisited with emerging DNA technology. Combine that with growing criminal databases, and there’s a plethora of new writing opportunities to explore. How might a detective uncover new truths in a case left dormant for decades? What old adversaries might resurface as the weight of DNA-backed justice looms large?

There’s a new public crime-solving platform on the horizon: Ancestry.com. Ordinary citizens willingly upload their DNA signatures to the site, hoping to find their genetic origins. Each signature uploaded enters a growing worldwide database. While criminals are unlikely to use the service, their relatives have their DNA results permanently filed, and police have access to these records. Blood relatives are closing cases without knowing it!

The advent of genealogical databases like these adds a modern twist. This new frontier has already led to the capture of notorious criminals, bridging the past and present in pursuing justice. For crime writers, this intersection of history, science, and human stories opens thrilling new narrative avenues.

My novel SEETHINGS exploits the pre-DNA/post-DNA gap. It’s downloadable and free for a limited time.

-M.