The Power of DNA in the Courtroom Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research

The Power of deoxyribonucleic acid in the Courtroom In 1893, Francis Galton introduced a remarkable new way to identify people (Fingerprinting pg 1 par 3). His observation that each individual has a unique particularize of fingerprints revolutionized the world of forensics. Soon, all investigators had adapted the idea to use fingerprints as a form of identification. Unfortunately, over the course of the past century, criminals have adapted to this technique and seldom leave their incriminating marks at the offensive scene. Forensics specialists were in need of a new way to identify criminals, and DNA provided the answer. When it comes to familial textile, it is virtually impossible for a criminal to leave a crime scene clean. Whether it is a hair, flakes of skin, or a fragment of fingernail, if it contains genetical material then it has potential to incriminate. However, there are still concerns regarding DNA fingerprinting. What are the implications of using the se tests in a courtroom scenario? What happens when DNA tests go awry(predicate)? It is debatable whether or not DNA fingerprinting has a business office in Americas court systems. The authentic technique behind DNA profile is fairly new. According to the National Research Council (NRC), this method has been around for active ten years. They go on to say that despite reproducibility and dependability of the methods and despite the potential power of the technique, there are serious reservations about its actual use (NRC pg 1). Still, laboratories across the United States have undergone technological advances to bring DNA testing to the local level. These up-dated labs now have the equipment and means to handle genetic evidence, but the public must be ready to accept this ne... ...advances in genetic technology, and I believe it will not allow the courts to fore their decisions solely on genetic evidence until all procedures are accurately performed. This is, aft er all, just one more system of identification, one that may prove to be even more momentous than Galtons fingerprints ever were. works Cited Ballantyne, Jack, George Sensabaugh, and Jan Witkowski. DNA Technology and Forensic Science. New York Cold Spring nourish Laboratory Press, 1989. Fingerprinting. Homepage. 1 May, 1997. AIMS Education Foundation. 22 October, 1999. <http//www.aimsedu.org/activities/gimmefive/gimme2.html>. National Research Council. The rating of Forensic DNA Evidence. Washington, D.C. National Academy Press, 1996. Singer, Colin R.. DNA Testing. Homepage. 22 October, 1999. <http//www.singer.ca/dna.html>