As DNA science developed, it began to serve law enforcement an
opportunity to verify or eliminate persons suspected of having
committed a crime. Then it was adapted to help find persons who
are related and quickly assumed a very important role in
genealogy.
Another tool is being developed now for use in forensic labs
which can identify people based on the bacteria which grow on
their hands. I wonder if they will learn that a person's genes
determine which bacteria will grow on his/her body?? {Why else
would different bacteria grow on different people?} If that is
found to be true, then there may be a role for those bacteria in
the field of genetics, especially if they leave a trail after
they are dead. Right now the study is comparing samples less
than two weeks old.
If this seems as interesting to you as it does to me, read the
BBC article at the following website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8570054.stm
It is evident that we need all the help from science we can get
to help uncover the mysteries of those people called
Carroll/Carrell/Carrol/Kerrell/Karl/McKerrell/O'Carroll or
anything remotely spelled like that. Do you suppose someday this
bacteria can help us?? Who knows?
In the meantime, let's keep researching the old fashioned way.
Lura