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 ( reproduce pg 1 par 3). His observation that each individual has a whimsical set of fingerprints revolutionized the world of forensics. Soon, all investigators had equal 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 discourtesy scene. Forensics specialists were in need of a new way to identify criminals, and desoxyribonucleic acid provided the answer. When it comes to transmissible material, 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 genetic material then it has potential to incriminate. How invariably, there be still concerns regarding desoxyribonucleic acid fingerprinting. Wh at are the implications of using these tests in a courtroom scenario? What happens when DNA tests go awry? It is debatable whether or not DNA fingerprinting has a place in Americas court systems. The actual technique behind DNA profiling is fairly new. According to the National look for Council (NRC), this method has been somewhat for round ten years. They go on to say that despite duplicability and reliability 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 underg unitary technological advances to engage DNA testing to the local level. These up-dated labs now have the equipment and means to call genetic evidence, but the public must be ready to strike this ne... ...advances in genetic technology, and I believe it will not stand the courts to base their decisions solely on genetic evidence until all procedures are accurately performe d. This is, after 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 rise Harbor 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 Evaluation 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>