The Department of Justice says, "States began passing laws requiring offenders convicted of certain offenses to provide DNA samples. " That DNA evidence can help convict someone of a crime and it helps to uncover more things about the crime itself. Investigators have been using forensic science to help them solve cases since before the 90 's, mostly fingerprints that were found at the crime scenes and on the victims (O 'Brien). DNA evidence has solved countless cases including ones that happened over a prolonged period of time because of the technological advancements there is
It is a great technological innovation that can help bring evidences and fact faster. In the article The DNA Wars Are Over, “Forensic use of DNA technology in criminal cases began in 1986… In one of the first uses of DNA in a criminal case in the United States, in November 1987.” Sadly in 1985, DNA testing was not popular in the U.S. investigation and was not available in Cole’s case. I believe the U.S. court system is improving and yes there are a lot mistrials and wrongful conviction cases, but you cannot avoid the fact that DNA testing can bring better truth than just relying on statements of both
Without the help of DNA, connecting offenders to their victims and the scene of the crime, so many cases would be left unsolved. Shockingly enough, it wasn’t until 1984 where DNA was used for biological identification. Once DNA started to play such a big role in criminal justice, many cases where they didn’t have enough evidence to prosecute, were brought to court and finally solved. Even though there was such a large gap in when the offenses were first committed and when they were solved, there was still justice for the victims and their families. An important case where DNA changes everything would be that of Gary Ridgway, otherwise known as the green river killer.
The main issue people have with DNA tests is privacy. An individual's DNA is immensely more exclusive than a social security number and in the wrong hands, your life could be at risk. If a database filled with millions of DNA samples from people all around the world; it takes only one person to breach the “security” and peoples DNA would then be readily available to anyone in the public. People can potentially analyze your DNA and see what bacteria or viruses your DNA is most vulnerable to, and use it against you. Additionally insurance companies could potentially obtain the results of a DNA test and see that you have an incredibly high probability of developing breast cancer.
DNA testing has been changing lives for the wrongfully convicted. Innocent people are being released from prisons because of DNA. Ronald Cotton was fortunate to have been found innocent thanks to DNA evidence after being imprisoned for years. It may not always be that way, though, there are still people being locked up once DNA has ruled them out.
In King, Justice Kennedy referred to the invention of DNA technology as “one of the most significant scientific advancements of our era.” This statement has been criticized, but the impact of DNA technology has been significant. Currently, forensic analysts can use “junk” DNA to identify a person with near certainty. Law enforcement can collect a person’s DNA through saliva. The sample is then uploaded to CODIS, a national network of DNA databases.
DNA evidence has also helped let off wrongfully convicted individuals. However, there are limitations to DNA evidence, such as possible contamination or degradation of evidence over
For instance, in the event in which law enforcement needs to investigate criminal acts to prove someone innocent or guilty. For example Maryland vs King which states that when a police officer arrest someone because they have a suspect of a serious offence , they make need a cheek swab to rove that the suspect is innocent or guilty because of DNA left at the crime scene. Another positive outcome is that your doctors will be able to detect genetic diseases or cancer and treat it before it becomes a problem or takes effect. Although there are many positive outcomes there is a law that does protect you genome. The Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act or GINA protects the genetic privacy of the public.
The genome project has two sides, one for and the other against. Each has their own concerns and reasons to proceed or halt. The reason to proceed with the project are new discoveries of human genes and better cures. While the reasons to halt the project have to do with ethics and privacy. Using the human genome project would allow us to better understand our own bodies and why certain issues take place.
Throughout the years, forensic technology has evolved from using photography to fingerprint identification in order to help identify criminals. Without hesitation, it is easy to believe that lots of crimes have been solved due to advanced technology rather than be dismissed as another unsolved case. An example of advanced technology that should be recognized is the use of DNA evidence. Though, the idea of DNA profiling being an accurate tool to solve cases is still a matter to be discussed. It is safe to assume that the technology used for DNA profiling is important to the methods of forensic sciences because it provides better evidence (as opposed to eyewitness testimony), it helps discover criminals of past unsolved crimes, and it helps
Pro side: The United States should establish a DNA databank. It will help in the identification of criminals, the identification of missing people, and victims in accidents. S u p p o r t : I t w i l l b e h e l p f u l t o t
This could be fatal because then a person could be wrongly convicted of a crime or even let free if he committed the crime and who knows if he won’t do it again? ● The equipment used in forensic testing can be very expensive and will cost a lot of money. ● Misleading or false DNA can easily be placed at the crime scene. As a result the wrong person will be arrested and the people who actually committed is still running around free. ● The DNA information is on a computer and can be vulnerable to exploitation from hackers.
Human Genome Research can have negative effects, but the positives outweigh the negatives. There are a lot of benefits that can come from Human Genome Research. These benefits include medical advancements, new medical practices and cures, finding the history of a family, learning more about humans, and much more. Even with all of the great positive effects from Human Genome Research, there are possible negatives that can result. Some negatives include the possibility of genetic information being used against someone or the possibility that they could find a genetic disease in someone's genome that there is no cure for.
One major pro is the future medical advancements it could open up for the world. It could essentially be a life-saving technique. There are always people who need organ transplants but there are never enough organs. Cloning the organs that are needed for a person to survive when their own gives out can provide for many more people to live and not have to wait on a transplant list forever. Another important advantage of cloning humans is for infertile couples.
DNA in forensic science The majority of cells making up the human body are diploid cells carrying identical DNA, with the exception of haploid gametes and red blood cells. Several types of biological evidence such as blood and hair are commonly used in forensic science, which is the scientific study of evidence for crime scene investigations and other legal matters. Forensic science is used for the purpose of DNA analysis, this is the analysis of DNA samples to determine if it came from a particular individual. DNA analysis is done by obtaining DNA samples from an individual; next, a large sample of DNA is produced from amplified selected sequences from the DNA collected.
