Pros And Cons Of Keeping Dna Databanks

Though, the chances are small, people have been convicted of crimes who are innocent. DNA databases are used significantly to solve crimes. With solving crimes also comes the chance of putting an innocent person behind bars. Forensics is not always 100% accurate and can be faulty in identifying the wrong person. Sometimes, there are biased forensic analysts that misconstrued evidence and biased police officers in the criminal justice system. An issue with police officers is a cognitive bias called confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is when someone, such as a police officer receives information on a person, but chooses to throw out the information and rather put their own believes before evidence. If police officers are able to swab DNA when they arrest someone, they could use that DNA to misidentify an individual of a crime. If a DNA database is contaminated with millions of innocent people, the risk of an innocent percent being abused by the system is higher. A big case in the criminal justice system was of the lawyer Brandon Mayfield. His fingerprints were misidentified at a terrorist bombing in Madrid. He had converted to Islam and felt that he was discriminated against, while being held captive for two weeks. He is just one of the many innocent people who have been suspects in criminal cases. In the primary source document The Case Against Expanding Forensic DNA Databases to Innocent

According to Robert Dominique and Dufresene Martin, writing in a New Genetics & Society article, DNA meaning deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in all living organisms. DNA and DNA databanks are major forms of evidence in the investigation process and in the discovery of the guilt or innocence. According to Robert and Martin, since the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, states require offenders convicted of certain crimes to provide DNA samples; this preventing the offenders from committing new crimes because they know they can be caught again due to their DNA samples registered in the system. In 1999, New York police authorities linked a man through the use of DNA samples to 22 sexual assaults and robberies that had troubled the

DNA analysts have been profiling DNA since 1985. Then in 1998, the Combined DNA Index System became fully operational (“FAQs” 2010). CODIS’s three levels are the national level, the state level, and the local level. As September 2015, there is 14,740,249 DNA profiles in CODIS (“CODIS”, n.d.). Since everybody has different DNA, except identical twins, DNA analysts have been able to assists with investigator to determine between who is guilty and who is innocent. With some of their findings, they are able to exonerate individuals, who have been wrongfully convicted. Even though television may make DNA analysts’ life look simple on the screen, it is not. There is need for interest and education. Lastly, the actual job that entails for the DNA

DNA is useful for it can solve crimes and help people know who their parents

Due to the uniqueness of DNA it has become a powerful tool in criminal investigations

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.

DNA is considered an individuals genetic fingerprint, thus it is exclusive to each and every individual. Since this exclusivity exists, DNA is a tool used for identification purposes. It has been utilized for investigations of serious crimes, identification of individuals killed in mass disasters, wars and paternity uncertainties1. Since the inception of the use of DNA in the 1980’s thousands of criminals have been caught and prosecuted with the help of DNA evidence2. Additionally, countless victims of mass disasters have been identified through DNA and returned to their loved ones. Although, there are various benefits to employing DNA it does not come without a sundry of ethical and legal concerns. The ethical concerns that have presented themselves are questions involving scientific reliability, DNA evidence in court, human rights, and finally the other uses of the DNA database.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been used to analyze and prove innocence or guilt of suspects of crimes with great accuracy. DNA is part of everyday life. It is the heredity material in humans and almost all other organisms. While being part of an investigation. DNA has helped to solve crimes. There is a couple ways that DNA left behind can be tested to solve a crime. Either if the suspect has been caught and or had his or her DNA tested, or if he or she has left behind any biological evidence. Which then needs to be tested to see if it matches the DNA found in the crime scene to his or hers DNA. The result to this comparison may help establish if the suspect committed the crime.

DNA is one of the most important pieces of evidence that a criminal justice agent can use in a court of law. There ae slim to no crimes committed that doesn’t have some type of DNA evidence left behind. Some DNA evidence could be, but not limited to, fingerprints, blood, hair, and any other bodily fluids. DNA is known as Deoxyribonucleic Acid, and is one of two types of molecules that encode genetic information (Medicine.net, 2017). DNA is characteristically unique to each person individually, unless they are a twin. DNA dictates a person’s look such as their eye color, blood type, height, hair color, skin color, etc. With this genetic information, intense testing can be done to find who may be connected to the genetic makeup of each stand

This heartbreaking story proves the need for a database consisting of DNA from all citizens. One benefit of having a larger DNA database is it can prove if someone committed a crime (Your Genome, 2015). Not only that, but many suspects of one crime are guilty of committing others. The

“Deoxyribonucleic Acid, also known as (DNA), was first introduced in the 1800 by Alphonse Bertillon, a French Anthropologist. DNA, which defines the hereditary make-up found in humans and other living organisms, can be obtained from the blood, saliva, sweat, hair, and urine. DNA profiling was mainly used as a method of determining paternity.” (Cormier, 2005). In 1986, DNA was first introduced into the courts when investigator’s in England asked molecular biologist, Alec Jeffreys, to use DNA to verify the innocence of a 17 year-old boy. He had been identified as a perpetrator in two rape-murder cases in the English Midlands. The tests proved that the teenager was in fact innocent and was not the perpetrator of the crimes. Because of DNA testing the perpetrator was eventually

DNA fingerprinting is important in many different fields of study today, including forensic science. One case in which DNA fingerprinting was especially important was the O.J. Simpson case. According to New York Times in 1994, if the DNA tests were done correctly they “could establish Mr. Simpson’s innocence or convince a jury that he is guilty.” Basically, testing Simpson’s DNA and comparing it to the DNA found at the crime scene could greatly sway the jury’s decision on whether Simpson was guilty or not. This case was a very famous and popular, so introducing DNA evidence in a trail like this would bring much attention to the methods of DNA testing and how accurate the results were. Before this case took place, it was thought of as a possible

As it gradually progresses to be a more improved and powerful tool in the Criminal Justice system, it should inarguably be believed that this form of forensic evidence remains as the only reliable source for providing just outcomes in a case. This technique can be discerningly used to identify criminals and exonerate wrongly-accused individuals with tremendous accuracy due to DNA’s biology to pinpoint specific suspects, it’s unique processes and the many databases it possesses. With all things considered, DNA technology has become increasingly vital to provide fairness and accuracy in the Criminal

Mr. Kuykendall, I strongly agree with your perspective. This is a major issue. This consisted of several factors, mainly due to past errors, whereas DNA was tainted in order to get an illegal conviction. There are good points and bad points. There needs to be several protocols and stipulations before each individual DNA should be taken. This invasion violates one's Fourth Amendment Right to privacy. If the government requires that all U.S. citizens have their DNA in the data base, there need to be more steps put in place for this procedure. Human errors could be the link to the wrong person being accused of a crime.

Though it may have taken science a long time to make any real discoveries about DNA, this information has helped science advance in many ways. This new knowledge can be used for many different ways in many different careers. People are now able to determine who may have been involved in a crime based on the DNA found, which provides crucial evidence in a court case. DNA can also be used to analyze different chromosomes, and determine why certain genetic diseases may occur and how the DNA of those