The Combined DNA Index System And The Criminal Justice System

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.

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

The Fourth Amendment gives United States citizens the right of protection from unlawful searches and seizures. Recently, in the case Maryland v. King the Supreme Court ruled that the seizure of DNA during the booking process is not protected by the Fourth Amendment. The ruling by the Supreme Court has to be further evaluated and questioned as it raises questions as to what is covered under the Fourth Amendment and if a person is allowed that right while in custody. Vikram Iyengar in his law review article ‘Maryland v. King: The case for uniform, nationwide DNA collection and DNA database laws in the United States’ will allow a closer look into how this ruling may cause a conflict with state laws. The ruling in this case will spur many

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.

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

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

So you ask, "How does this work to catch or release criminals?" DNA is very simple and small. Everyone has different patterns. Using certain machinery to detect a person's DNA solves these patterns. This evidence will create a future in crime scene investigation.

DNA evidence is extremely helpful in criminal trials not only because it can determine the guilt of a suspect, but also because it can keep innocent people from going to jail. The suspect must leave a sample of their DNA at the crime scene in order for testing to occur, but DNA can be found in the form of many things such as semen, blood, hair, saliva, or skin scrapings. According to Newsweek, "thousands of people have been convicted by DNA's nearly miraculous ability to search out suspects across space and time… hundreds of innocent people have also been freed, often after years behind bars, sometimes just short of the death chamber" (Adler ). Though some may think it is a waste of time to go

DNA is generally used to solve crimes. In cases where a person is identified, a sample of that person's DNA can be compared to the evidence from the crime scene. This comparison can help establish if the suspect did the crime. In cases where a suspect has not been found the biological evidence from the crime scene can be used and compared to perpetrators profiles. After observing the data, the next part is to confirm the tests. DNA can be used to determine who may or may not be a suspect. If the profile from the crime scene matches the profile from the victim, then the suspect is included as the possible source of DNA found at the crime scene. An example of DNA evidence being used in a crime can be if a man is killed and there are traces

They use this information to put it into the NDIS, or the National DNA Index System, which is the collective database of people’s DNA in the US. The FBI uses this database to match DNA that they find at a crime scene to a person who they will be able to bring into custody to question. If it was a rapping case, they would be able to collect DNA and match it to the person who committed the crime and bring them into custody. This system came about when DNA started to be prevalent in putting criminals away. They used the database to store information about every person so that if a crime is done they will be able to easily find them and bring them in. They can also use this information to try and help find people from the National Missing Persons DNA Database. It began in 1990 and was legitamized by the DNA Identification Act of 1994. The team is constructed of a program manager, forensic system program manager, a biologist, an auditor, a management and program analysts, and a paralegal specialist. All of these people work together to make the CODIS

The goals of science are to make sure that the goods and services they provide are of value to the community, enhance knowledge, discredit false information or beliefs, and most importantly to keep a record through documentation so that others can benefit from the knowledge obtained as well (1).

The Combined DNA Index System or CODIS is defined as a program used by the FBI which stores DNA data on a national level. As such, CODIS combines science and computer technology creating an avenue enabling federal, local, and state law enforcement agencies to connect violent crimes by electronically exchanging and comparing the DNA profiles of offenders, thus providing possible connections to other crimes committed and associations with other known

Every State in the Nation has a DNA database that allows for the collection of DNA profiles from offenders convicted of particular crimes. CODIS software enables State, local, and national law enforcement crime laboratories to compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking serial crimes to each other and identifying suspects by matching DNA profiles from crime scenes with profiles from convicted offenders. The success of CODIS is demonstrated by the thousands of matches that have linked serial cases to each other and cases that have been solved by matching crime scene evidence to known convicted offenders.

DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid, which is found in almost all living things. DNA serves as a code for the creation and maintenance of new cells within an organism. Within humans, it is found in almost every cell. Although most of our DNA is found within the nucleus of our cells as nuclear DNA, a very small amount of our DNA is also found within the mitochondria as mitochondrial DNA. Because mitochondrial DNA is generally not used for solving crimes, for the purpose of this paper it will be disregarded.