DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a fundamental molecule crucial for forensic casework, but its integrity can be compromised over time due to various factors such as temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet radiation. DNA degradation poses significant challenges in forensic science, making it difficult to analyze degraded samples. However, DNA degradation has become an invaluable asset, aiding in historical identification, archaeological investigations, and estimating the time since death. Forensic experts use degradation patterns to deduce environmental conditions affecting a body, enhancing crime scene reconstruction. Advancements in DNA recovery techniques, such as next-generation sequencing, enable the analysis of severely degraded samples, improving the identification of suspects and victims. The study of DNA degradation is essential for its effective utilization in criminal casework. Understanding the factors and mechanisms influencing DNA degradation is crucial. Ongoing advancements in forensic techniques and technologies are steadily increasing the reliability and utility of degraded DNA analysis, helping to resolve complex criminal cases and uncover hidden clues. DNA degradation can occur in both living and dead organisms, with different mechanisms and factors contributing to its process. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) degradation have distinct implications in forensic science. MtDNA is highly valuable due to its maternal inheritance, higher copy number, and resistance to degradation, making it useful in fragmented or degraded samples. In contrast, nDNA is more prone to degradation due to its larger size and susceptibility to enzymatic activity. The evaluation of DNA degradation involves various techniques, including gel electrophoresis, single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), flow cytometry, TUNEL assay, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), next-generation sequencing (NGS), fragment length analysis, forensic SNP genotyping, DNA repair enzyme assays, and chemiluminescence methods. These techniques help assess the extent of DNA fragmentation, damage, and degradation, providing valuable insights for forensic investigations. Understanding the mechanisms and factors affecting DNA degradation is crucial for its effective utilization in forensic science. Ongoing research and advancements in forensic techniques are enhancing the reliability and utility of degraded DNA analysis, contributing to the resolution of complex criminal cases and the uncovering of hidden clues.DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a fundamental molecule crucial for forensic casework, but its integrity can be compromised over time due to various factors such as temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet radiation. DNA degradation poses significant challenges in forensic science, making it difficult to analyze degraded samples. However, DNA degradation has become an invaluable asset, aiding in historical identification, archaeological investigations, and estimating the time since death. Forensic experts use degradation patterns to deduce environmental conditions affecting a body, enhancing crime scene reconstruction. Advancements in DNA recovery techniques, such as next-generation sequencing, enable the analysis of severely degraded samples, improving the identification of suspects and victims. The study of DNA degradation is essential for its effective utilization in criminal casework. Understanding the factors and mechanisms influencing DNA degradation is crucial. Ongoing advancements in forensic techniques and technologies are steadily increasing the reliability and utility of degraded DNA analysis, helping to resolve complex criminal cases and uncover hidden clues. DNA degradation can occur in both living and dead organisms, with different mechanisms and factors contributing to its process. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) degradation have distinct implications in forensic science. MtDNA is highly valuable due to its maternal inheritance, higher copy number, and resistance to degradation, making it useful in fragmented or degraded samples. In contrast, nDNA is more prone to degradation due to its larger size and susceptibility to enzymatic activity. The evaluation of DNA degradation involves various techniques, including gel electrophoresis, single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), flow cytometry, TUNEL assay, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), next-generation sequencing (NGS), fragment length analysis, forensic SNP genotyping, DNA repair enzyme assays, and chemiluminescence methods. These techniques help assess the extent of DNA fragmentation, damage, and degradation, providing valuable insights for forensic investigations. Understanding the mechanisms and factors affecting DNA degradation is crucial for its effective utilization in forensic science. Ongoing research and advancements in forensic techniques are enhancing the reliability and utility of degraded DNA analysis, contributing to the resolution of complex criminal cases and the uncovering of hidden clues.