The Use of Dns in Police Investigations
Essay by review • December 15, 2010 • Essay • 900 Words (4 Pages) • 1,175 Views
The use of ?DNA? in police investigations
The issue whether DNA should be used in police investigations is
widely debated in the community. It is an important issue because it
brings to attention the moral and ethical implications of using DNA as
an investigative tool. A variety of different options have been put
forward about the issue. DNA or deoxyribosenucleic acid is the genetic
material in cells specific to the individual (James & Nordy, 2002).
Bodily fluids, skin, bones or blood samples can be tested for DNA
material. What made it an important discovery was the fact that it had
the potential to revolutionize policing methods. Even though the use
of DNA evidence in police investigations is a growing phenomenon the
general consensus of wider population may hinder its full potential as
a tool for justice.
Firstly some background information about DNA, the history of DNA is
very recent as it was discovered by Oswald Avery in the 70?s and in
terms of law enforcement DNA plays a major role in forensic science.
Forensic science is the application of science in aspects of law
(James & Nordy, 2002). It is the use of scientific principles and
technological practices to the purpose of justice in the study and
resolution of criminal, civil and regulatory issues.
The use of forensic science as a tool in the search for the truth
allows justice to be done not only by apprehending the guilty, but
also by freeing the innocent.
It has been argued that the use of DNA as an investigative tool is
inaccurate because incidents may occur whereby the crime scene may
have become contaminated and therefore the use of DNA from that
particular crime scene would be unreliable, those who believe this
have their validity in their claim however it must also be considered
there are strict instructions and guidelines in place for forensic
experts on how to examine a crime scene such as the need to wear fresh
pair of latex gloves. Moreover there is immaculate professionalism
involved in the procedures to obtaining DNA evidence.
It is the contention of critics that the cost of DNA abstraction and
analysis is simply too much however it must be stated that the world
is in the early stages of using DNA as an investigative tool and
research is being instigated to finding new techniques which will
decrease the cost of taking DNA samples. furthermore systems are being
manufactured that will not only cut the cost of taking DNA samples but
will also enable samples to be quickly taken and analyzed which in
effect would speed the investigation up. The ability of taking a
sample and analysing it quickly could be essential since it means
investigations can take place quickly and therefore increasing
probability of bringing the criminal to justice.
It has been argued that keeping DNA records of people wrongly
suspected of crimes in certain parts of the country could lead to an
over representation of certain ethnic groups and could lead to
resentment, these arguments are completely true to however the
solution to this problem should not be to erase DNA records but to
extend DNA profiling to everyone in Britain this would remove the
stereotypical views of certain ethnic groups. In addition to this some
people may object that DNA testing has ventured out of the courtroom
in an effort to show a genetic link between race and violent or
aggressive tendencies, they are correct however we must set laws which
prohibit this kind of prejudice rather than denying DNA to
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