A DNA databank is a mass index, which contains DNA profiles that can be analyzed for various purposes. DNA evidence is very useful partly because it can be analyzed from various substances and can be matched among different substances. After seeing the impact DNA evidence could have on serious crimes, many states decided to establish a databank, which would contain the DNA profiles of convicted criminals. As these databanks continue to grow, many fear that they are beginning to infringe upon citizens’ rights, since they now often contain DNA profiles of innocent people. Despite some opposition, there should be an established DNA databank containing DNA profiles of all citizens. Because of the success of DNA evidence, having a databank containing the DNA of all citizens would make …show more content…
A DNA databank would allow states to cross-reference any DNA evidence with the DNA profiles of citizens from all over the country, not just in one specific area. While DNA evidence can be very useful in criminal investigations, it is unnecessary to establish a DNA databank for all citizens. Such a databank would go against citizens’ rights, especially that of being “innocent until proven guilty.” Currently, a person may not be investigated in a crime unless there is evidence strongly suggesting that person as a suspect. If a citizen DNA databank were established, all citizens could be investigated for crimes indirectly. There is no reason to treat innocent people with such suspicion. Those who establish themselves as good citizens should be allowed to keep their privacy. In addition to the violation of rights, the possibility of hacking must also be considered. Anything that is stored electronically may allow opportunities for hackers. It is possible that hackers could alter the information stored in a DNA databank. They may also obtain the information for ulterior
DNA databanks should be used in the US, due to exoneration of the innocent, or for the use in court or in crime scene investigations, to help solve crimes.
He then goes on to acknowledge the use of DNA databases and how they work to apprehend repeat offenders. Hurst focuses on the South African Police Service and their need for an expansion of their DNA database to help solve criminal cases. Hurst then goes on to explain the legislation that has been proposed that will ensure that all criminals arrested will be put into the national DNA database and that only registered medical practitioners will be allowed to receive and store the evidence. He concludes his article by explaining the risk of having the database run by a private
Many times when a person is raped they are too traumatized to actually remember the full details or only remember certain characteristics, or facial features of the person who hurt them. So law enforcement makes an arrest based on the victims memory. Then after convicted it is found out that the wrong person was
Perhaps the most critical improvement in criminal examination since the happening to one of a kind finger impression ID is the usage of DNA development to convict punks or get rid of persons as suspects. DNA examinations on spit, skin tissue, blood, hair, and semen can now be reliably used to association guilty parties to wrongdoings. Dynamically recognized in the midst of the past 10 years, DNA development is in the blink of an eye by and large used by police, prosecutors, shield course, and courts in the United
Basically, our DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is our genes, and every person, except for twins, are born with a different DNA profile and that is in a giant database, containing every DNA profile of every person in the world. DNA testing started in 1985 by scientist Alec Jeffreys and was first used to solve a crime a year later. Before 1985 DNA evidence could not be used in court because it wasn’t invented yet, this increased the number of wrongful convictions which would have been prevented using DNA analysis. However, DNA analysis can still be used to solve crimes that occurred prior to the invention of DNA analysis, with a sufficient amount of DNA to be analyzed of course, which is a very small amount. Only a small amount of DNA is needed to find out who it belongs to, it can be found in blood, saliva, finger residue, hair, skin, semen and more.
In previous cases, the collection of DNA samples was ruled constitutional by state courts. For instance in the 2004 Maryland v. Raines case, felon Charles Raines was forced to turn in his DNA test, linking him to a sexual assault case. Maryland’s Court of Appeals declared
for criminal gain; law enforcement also benefit from the latest technology. DNA is a technology
DNA testing is a critical and accurate tool in linking accused and even convicted criminals for crimes, and should be widely used to assess guilt or innocence before jail sentences are imposed. It was started up by scientists Francis C. Crick and James D, Watson in 1953 as they had described the uses, structures and purpose of the DNA “deoxyribonucleic acid” genetic fingerprint that contains organism information about an individual (testing
DNA forensics can also narrow down suspect pools, exonerate innocent suspects, and link crimes together if the same DNA is found at both scenes. However, without existing suspects, a DNA profile cannot direct an investigation because current knowledge of genotype-phenotype relation is too vague for DNA phenotyping. For example, a profile from a first time offender that has no match in any database may give the information that the criminal is a left handed male of medium stature with red hair and freckles. It would be impossible to interview every man who fits that description. However, with available suspects, DNA forensics has many advantages over other forms of evidence. One is the longevity of DNA. Although it will deteriorate if exposed to sunlight, it can remain intact for centuries under proper conditions (Sachs, 2004). Because DNA is so durable, investigators can reopen old cases to reexamine evidence.
Due to the uniqueness of DNA it has become a powerful tool in criminal investigations
Even though DNA evidence is generally linked to an offenders profile through DNA database. In the late 1980’s the federal government laid a ground work for the system of state, local and national DNA databases for the storage and exchange of the DNA profiles. This system was named the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Maintaining DNA profiles set of databases that can be shared to the law enforcements all across the country. The CODIS can compare crime scene evidence that has been stored to a database of DNA profiles obtaining previous offenders. This
Allowing the annual report of the National DNA Database Strategy Board as of 2012-2013, NDNAD helps the law enforcement in giving worthful information that will lead in determining the suspect and solve crime cases. However, sometimes the crime doesn’t solve and more evidence needs to be collecting to secure a conviction but in dealing with NDNAD it provides the police of its needed information for DNA matches.
This paper explores deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) collection and its relationship to solving crimes. The collection of DNA is one of the most important steps in identifying a suspect in a crime. DNA evidence can either convict or exonerate an individual of a crime. Furthermore, the accuracy of forensic identification of evidence has the possibility of leaving biased effects on a juror (Carrell, Krauss, Liberman, Miethe, 2008). This paper examines Carrells et al’s research along with three other research articles to review how DNA is collected, the effects that is has on a juror and the pros and cons of DNA collection in the Forensic Science and Criminal Justice community.
A DNA data base is a very helpful but potentially dangerous tool that has been recently considered by the US, but has faced some controversy. In practice a DNA database would contain profiles and potentially samples of every citizen’s DNA. The DNA profile, while not extremely revealing in itself, has been called out as a privacy violation. While it has its benefits the privacy issue will not disappear so we must explore both options before we can make a decision about a DNA database.
However collection of DNA profiles must also respect the personal freedom of citizens that means the DNA database will be helpful about solving the crime, but at the same time, State actions may affect the privacy rights of individuals. Therefore, the preparation of the DNA profile is not only focus on the rules of the samples, with or without consent, offenses, retain profile but also needs to support a legal matter with a protection of citizen's rights.