The Use of Dna Evidence

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA as it is most commonly known, is a strand of molecules found within the cell nucleus of all living things. It is called a “genetic fingerprint” because each is dissimilar to the other and each person, apart from identical twins, has different DNA patterns. DNA testing has overthrown the way law enforcement agencies collect evidence in numerous criminal cases, especially rape and murder and consequently had a large impact on countless past cases. The prospect of a national DNA database has been profoundly criticized with complaints of incursion of privacy and stigma against those with terminal diseases. Moreover, there are several disadvantages to DNA testing, such as conflicts arising with crime laboratories, the costs of DNA testing, challenges of accuracy, and the possible misuse and mishandling of DNA. In this paper, a review of the conflicts and concerns of DNA testing will be discussed and analyzed as to why the Government should not mandate the use of DNA evidence in each felony case.
Conflicts Arising with Crime Laboratories Law enforcement has utilized the process of DNA testing to effectively fight crime, identify and apprehend criminals, and make the community safer (Wisconsin DOJ). In today’s world, the same tool that has been used by law enforcement in the United States has become overwhelmingly abused. Many crime laboratories have experienced an abundance of case loads which have resulted in unprocessed cases. These reports have been publicized by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to address a problem. The effected parties of a back log can be victims of sexual assaults as perpetrators who have a tendency to re-offend are still walking the streets. The back log can also cause law enforcement to follow-up on leads that would not normally be conducted if the DNA results were assessable. (Wisconsin DOJ)
Press Release by the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) The Madison, Wisconsin Crime Laboratory is one

References: Norton, A. (2005). DNA Databases: The New Dragnet. Retrieved February 28, 2007, from http://www.thescientist.com Rooker, K. (2000). The Impact of DNA Database on Privacy. University of Daytona Law School. Retrieved March 1, 2007, from http://academic.udayton.edu/health/05bioethics/00rooker.htm Schmalleger, F. (2002). Criminal Law Today: An introduction with capstone cases. (2nd edition). Uppper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. State of Wisconsin DOJ. (2007). Announces Release of DOJ Review of State Crime Lab Resources for DNA Analysis (February 12, 2007). Retrieved on February 28, 2007, from http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/2007/ Teichroeb, R. (2004). Rare look inside state crime labs. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved March 1, 2007, from http://seattlepi.nwsource.com Thompson, W. (2006). Tarnish On The ‘Gold Standard ': Recent Problems In Forensic DNA Testing. Retrieved February 28th, 2007 from http://www.nacdl.org/public.nsf/0/6285f6867724e1e685257124006f9177 Varsha. (2006). DNA Fingerprinting in the Criminal Justice System: An Overview (Vol. 25, pp.181-188). Mary Ann Leiber, Inc.