Solution And Solution Selection Process

Police databases and offense reports have been improved by technology and have enhanced law enforcement organizations’ ability to function. One type of police database is a fingerprint databases that

DNA testing was first used in criminal prosecutions in 1985 and is now admissible in all states. (Hails, 184) Scientific and legal communities seem to universally accept the use of DNA as “good” evidence. Questions could arise regarding testing procedures. There are several testing methods that have been proven reliable and easily pass general acceptance and scientific validity tests. This is causes number of Daubert cases questioning DNA to decline. “In most cases, the tests that are used are well established and do not require a separate hearing” (Hails, 160)

crime scene could be analyzed and compared with a sample from a suspect. A match could place

Contamination can occur when transferring DNA or the collection of DNA evidence. In the case involving Mr. Farah, he was wrongful charged of rape although he had appealed in the High Court with the basis of the scientists not having said he was undisputedly the perpetrator. The scientists said that it was a very small chance that it was not Mr. Farah which he argued was still a reasonable doubt. The judges dismissed the case within twenty minutes but it was later found that the evidence was contaminated. Other examples include R v. Rendell (1999) and R v. Carroll (2002.)Though technology is advancing, the process of collecting, processing and analyzing DNA has faults. There needs to be more training, procedures and checks put in place for the system to be effective. Faults in evidence presents to be ineffective justice as although the jury weighed up the evidence, there was inadequate access to allow him to refute the claims and lead to wrongful convictions.

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.

FBI is one of the important scientific generalist that includes extensive reference collection of files like National Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), National Motor Vehicles Certificate of Title file, etc to solve crime. Certification and accreditation are two important regulation processes that have been implementing in forensic science. During the process of investigation, FBI highly recommend not to send specimen if it takes more than 24 hrs. The Supreme Court of California in 1946 rules stated, “Finger prints are the strongest evidence to prove the identity of a person.”

Every time an innocent person is exonerated based on DNA testing, law enforcement agencies look at what caused the wrongful convictions. There are many issues that contribute to putting guiltless lives behind bars including: eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, imperfect forensic science, and more (Gould and Leo 18). When a witness is taken into a police station to identify a suspect, it is easy for their memories to be blurred and their judgment influenced. This can lead the witness to identify a suspect who is actually innocent. Flawed forensic science practice also contributes to wrongful imprisonments. In the past, analysts have been inaccurate due to carelessness, testified in court presenting evidence that was not based

For over a century fingerprints have been one of the most used tools of forensic science. Fingerprints have been used to identify criminals of small crimes

The initial step to being booked is with the individual being searched for any type of weapons that can hurt themselves, or others. They are also searched to make sure that they are not bringing any type of contraband into the facility. This is normally drugs. Once the individual has been searched they are given jail issued clothing and their personal property is taken from them. During the booking process, individuals identity and fingerprints are taken. The individual’s fingerprints then are sent to the state and the FBI. This is done to make sure that the individual does not have any outstanding holds or warrants from other counties or states. Next, the individual that is being booked will have their picture taken and submitted to the state and the FBI database. DNA has helped many cases when they go to trial. Some police departments will collect DNA, by swabbing an individual’s mouth and send it to a lab for processing. “Ultimately the DNA will be entered into the FBI’s CODIS database or Combined DNA Index System” Wright, 2012). The system was designed to share information across the Unites States. It has helped prosecutors with solving crimes that involved with DNA being left at the scene. The individual that has been arrested is asked a series of questions about themselves. During the intake process, a trained medical staff member will record the individual’s medical history, family background and employment. It is important to record an individual’s medical history just in case they have a serious medical issue that needs attention or supervision while they are in custody. The defendant’s criminal history is looked at and recorded for safety measures within the facility. It is important to know if an individual is a high risk or gang related. Once the individual has been categorized they are then housed accordingly to ensure

Before 1999 it took about 3 months to be able to find a matching fingerprint, now it takes 24 hours or less because it is now computer ran which is just one of the many benefits of this database. IAFIS has three ways that is can be used and how it's helpful. First is the criminal history this database keeps is a wide range of fingerprints, photographs and information on people who work for the government. Next it provides positive fingerprint identification. Lastly it can provide identification just by punching in in somebody’s name, DOB, specific body markings (such as tattoos), and identification numbers. The only people who are allowed to use IAFIS though are people within in the FBI. This database is also operated by a section of the FBI called the Criminal Justice Information Service

There have been many incidents where cases have needed a solid prosecution in order to convict the defendant in a murder or rape case. This is where DNA Testing comes in to help. By taking a DNA test, a person can be found guilty or not guilty. If a person claims they have been raped there can be a sperm sample taken from the suspect in order to prove that he is guilty or not. In addition, in a murder case there can be blood taken from the suspect so they can tell of his innocence. There are several ways to determine whether a person is guilty or not by this method. Many cases have begun to use this method saying that it is foolproof. People say this is the method of the future of crime

Just like the license plate reader, civil societies are worried about the instant identification finger printing method employed by law enforcers in nabbing offenders. The gadget/ system which gives police an instant access to database for cross checking against the prints they have obtained from a suspect enables the officers to pick any data and history on the subject from name, date of birth, social security number any other details about the person. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, FDLE, has employed the use of the new technology going by the name of FALCON to assist in the criminal identification process. The system is able to compare the partial and palm prints obtained from a crime scene to the fingerprints in the data bank. FALCON is also capable of pulling and

For example it has search capabilities, electronic image storage, and can exchange images of fingerprints and responses. The IAFIS is a home to fingerprints and criminal histories of 70 million subjects. Now, the IAFIS is maintained by the FBI or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. To be recorded into the system you could have employment background checks or firearm purchases that would cause you to be permanently recorded in the system. The person who is in charge of the IAFIS database is the Section Chief David Cuthbertson which is in the Programs Development Section. The FBI uses this database to find possible criminals if they find their fingerprints at a crime. They can run this information through the information and the IAFIS will pop up with information on that person. They can then use this information to their advantage and bring this person in for

DNA profiling technologies have had a considerable impact on how forensic science and criminal investigation have been understood, carried out, and regulated in the last 25 years. Current methods of forensic DNA profiling (known also as DNA fingerprinting and DNA typing), based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplifications of a varying number of Short Tandem Repeat (STR) loci found at different locations on the human genome, are regularly described as constituting the “gold standard for identification” in contemporary society. Prior to the implementation of PCR based extraction and amplification methods in the 1990’s, the initial uses of DNA fingerprinting (based on Multiple and Single Locus Probes) were largely confined to reactive

The automated Fingerprint Identification System is also known as the AFIS within the law enforcement division (FBI, 2010). This system is an important element in the criminal justice system as some of its features encompass the storing of data, encoding, and fingerprint and facial comparison through graphics and other techniques. Law officials many centuries ago in the pursuit of positively identifying someone suspected of guilt have long used fingerprints techniques. Fingerprinting is also used in branches of our government, and in the Pentagon, the authentication method of fingerprints is used permit access to specified zones inside the building. Fingerprints are an effective and very precise method of identification purposes that does not pose