Cjs/600 Critical Analysis Of The Criminal Justice System
Kenndrick Manor
April 28, 2014
CJMS 600
Critical Analysis of the Criminal Justice System
DNA: Is it worth the risk
Introduction Deoxyribonucleic acid, also known as DNA contains genetic information and is found within the chromosome of human cells. After countless hours of research on thethis fairly new phenomenon it was Sir Alec Jeffereys of England who developed a technology that was based solely on DNA in 1985. DNA plays a major role in technology, it is used for identification, and it has been a leading source in identifying biological samples such as saliva, urine, blood, semen and hair. All of these samples have been extremely helpful with government, federal, state and even private agencies …show more content…
Like most technological tools, the accuracy of DNA testing can be subjected to human error. Whether a sample is obtained from a crime scene or taken from an individual there is always a risk. Although DNA is considered to be highly accurate when done correctly, the notion that DNA testing is “free from error” is wrong in both principle and practice. The fallibility was painfully in clear in 2003 when the Houston Police Dept. crime lab was shut down after an investigation revealed widespread problems of misinterpretation and mishandling of evidence by those personnel responsible for handling such evidence. Aside from human error, another that issue on the rise is the lack of sufficient and proper training of the personnel responsible for collecting the samples. Often times these individuals mislabel, or misinterpret exactly what it is they are sampling. An example of this was in 2003 when Josia Sutton was released from prison after serving four years. Members of the police laboratory convicted Sutton as a result of mistaken identity and faulty scientific …show more content…
Since the inception of this technology it has been to be extremely effective in helping law enforcement solve crimes, exonerating individuals accused of crimes, identifying persons that have been disfigured or dismembered, resolve paternity issues and locating lost or unknown family members. Conversely, the technology does have to be revamped and changed in order to address the issues and challenges it faces. Privacy concerns of both criminals and individuals that volunteer their DNA for testing is at the forefront of the discussion.
References
Cole, S. A. (2007). How much justice can technology afford? The impact of DNA technology on equal criminal justice. Science & Public Policy (SPP), 34(2), 95-107. doi:10.3152/030234207X190991
Mouzos, J. (1990). The Forensic Use of DNA Profiling. (cover story). Trends & Issues In Crime & Criminal Justice, (26), 1-8.
Norén, L., Hedell, R., Ansell, R., & Hedman, J. (2013). Purification of crime scene DNA extracts using centrifugal filter devices. Investigative Genetics, 4(1), 1-8. doi:10.1186/2041-2223-4-8
Simoncelli, T., & Steinhardt, B. (2005). California 's Proposition 69: A Dangerous Precedent for Criminal DNA Databases. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 33(2), 279-293.
Varsha. (2006). DNA Fingerprinting in the Criminal Justice System: An Overview. DNA & Cell Biology,
April 28, 2014
CJMS 600
Critical Analysis of the Criminal Justice System
DNA: Is it worth the risk
Introduction Deoxyribonucleic acid, also known as DNA contains genetic information and is found within the chromosome of human cells. After countless hours of research on thethis fairly new phenomenon it was Sir Alec Jeffereys of England who developed a technology that was based solely on DNA in 1985. DNA plays a major role in technology, it is used for identification, and it has been a leading source in identifying biological samples such as saliva, urine, blood, semen and hair. All of these samples have been extremely helpful with government, federal, state and even private agencies …show more content…
Like most technological tools, the accuracy of DNA testing can be subjected to human error. Whether a sample is obtained from a crime scene or taken from an individual there is always a risk. Although DNA is considered to be highly accurate when done correctly, the notion that DNA testing is “free from error” is wrong in both principle and practice. The fallibility was painfully in clear in 2003 when the Houston Police Dept. crime lab was shut down after an investigation revealed widespread problems of misinterpretation and mishandling of evidence by those personnel responsible for handling such evidence. Aside from human error, another that issue on the rise is the lack of sufficient and proper training of the personnel responsible for collecting the samples. Often times these individuals mislabel, or misinterpret exactly what it is they are sampling. An example of this was in 2003 when Josia Sutton was released from prison after serving four years. Members of the police laboratory convicted Sutton as a result of mistaken identity and faulty scientific …show more content…
Since the inception of this technology it has been to be extremely effective in helping law enforcement solve crimes, exonerating individuals accused of crimes, identifying persons that have been disfigured or dismembered, resolve paternity issues and locating lost or unknown family members. Conversely, the technology does have to be revamped and changed in order to address the issues and challenges it faces. Privacy concerns of both criminals and individuals that volunteer their DNA for testing is at the forefront of the discussion.
References
Cole, S. A. (2007). How much justice can technology afford? The impact of DNA technology on equal criminal justice. Science & Public Policy (SPP), 34(2), 95-107. doi:10.3152/030234207X190991
Mouzos, J. (1990). The Forensic Use of DNA Profiling. (cover story). Trends & Issues In Crime & Criminal Justice, (26), 1-8.
Norén, L., Hedell, R., Ansell, R., & Hedman, J. (2013). Purification of crime scene DNA extracts using centrifugal filter devices. Investigative Genetics, 4(1), 1-8. doi:10.1186/2041-2223-4-8
Simoncelli, T., & Steinhardt, B. (2005). California 's Proposition 69: A Dangerous Precedent for Criminal DNA Databases. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 33(2), 279-293.
Varsha. (2006). DNA Fingerprinting in the Criminal Justice System: An Overview. DNA & Cell Biology,