...Personal Law Torre Colegrove Witness Essay 1/19/16 Eye witness identification is very significant in a conviction, it can put a guilty person behind bars or if misidentified, it can put an innocent person behind those same bars. Eye witness misidentification is the greatest contributing factor to wrongful convictions proven by DNA testing, paying a role in more than 70% of convictions overturned through DNA testing nationwide. For instance, in the misidentification of Marvin Anderson, a man wrongfully convicted of a rape, misidentification by the victim caused him to serve fifteen years in prison. Because the rapist had told the victim he had a white girl, the police immediately looked to Marvin as a suspect since he is the only colored man living with a white wife. After the victim chose Marvin’s mugshot out of a dozen black and white mugshots, the police created a line up with Marvin being the only man in it from the mug shots. Although Marvin had an alibi he was convicted and served fifteen brutal years he didn’t deserve in prison. It wasn’t until after DNA had testing proved Marvin wasn’t the rapist that they let him free. This is only one of the many cases that witness misidentification has taken years and even entire lives from innocent people. To ensure that witness misidentification isn’t a problem many states are considering improving their identification...
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...Patrick Zimmer Home | Projects | Music | Sitemap | Contact Genetic Engineering Essay Projects / Academic / Genetic Engineering Essay GENETIC ENGINEERING - The benefits and problems Genetic engineering is a powerful and potentially very dangerous tool. To alter the sequence of nucleotides of the DNA that code for the structure of a complex living organism, can have extremely ill effects although the potential benefits can be huge. Before advances in genetic applications, gene therapy was unheard of and genetic defects were always inherited, plaguing generations. Today genetic testing is widely available, such as prenatal karyotyping of chromosomes to check for genetic abnormalities. Genetic testing is also useful for families in which autosomal recessive disorders are known to exist, when these are planning to have children. In addition, genetic testing is available for people who might have inherited a genetic disorder which only becomes apparent later in life (for example Huntington's Disease). Individual choice decides whether a person would rather know if they are particularly vulnerable to certain diseases or more likely to die young. Knowing that your life may be short could inspire you to make the most of it while it could equally well cause severe depression. Today`s advances in gene therapy make it possible to even remove a faulty gene and replace it with a functioning gene in cells lacking this function. Though these techniques are available, they are still in...
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...DNA Databases Alannah Beard GS1145 January 06, 2014 ITT Technical Institute Research and Essay Article This article observes the use of DNA examination in solving crimes, California’s new law Proposition 69, and how convicted serial rapist Mark Rathburns been put to a stop sooner if the DNA law had been put into place years ago. The Proposition 69 law was approved by 62 percent of California voters, which it will produce the largest DNA database in any state. What the Proposition 69 will do is allow law enforcement to collect genetic material from all convicted felons and others convicted of any serious crimes starting in 2009. The article also talks about the backlogs of samples pending investigation, the difficulties with DNA testing, and Civil Libertarians arguing that Proposition 69 is a breaching privacy and security of the people. The quality of information that was given was insightful. It brought up topics and a law that I didn’t know about. Learning about the Proposition 69 law and how it can minimize crimes is shockingly interesting. The writer certainly did her research before writing the article, and it’s good to know that there are people out there who what us to know what else is happening in the world beside other things. My opinion of the article is that DNA databases can be useful to solve crimes, but then again it would give those in power the automatic ability to take DNA from whoever they want, regardless of reasoning. Citizens should still get a...
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...STAGE 2 BIOLOGY ASSESSMENT TYPE 1: Investigations Folio Issues Investigation Human Awareness Essay – Source Analysis Should all babies be DNA fingerprinted at birth? Article to be evaluated: Website: Genetics and Public Issues – ELSI (Ethical, Legal and Social Issues) – http://darwin.nmsu.edu/ Reliability: This source is a reliable one as it was developed by Dr. Clay Dillingham and Dr. Susan Root. They are professionals, educated in the technique and knowledgeable about the subject with years of experience as scientists in the field. Therefore it is expected to have some reliability. Bias: This article presents both the advantages and disadvantages of the topic of storing everyone’s DNA sequences and is not biased in either direction. It gives the scientific facts and procedures of DNA fingerprinting and continues to give the good effects and also the issues it would cause in the public. It explains how DNA fingerprinting would benefit us, referring to the solving of criminal offenses, detection of possible future diseases of the subject, clues about possible behavioral traits, and other medical information. This is the positive side. The article also discusses the negative side and questions the accessibility of the DNA fingerprints and the information they hold. The effects on the public if the information was misused are discussed including the impact on individuals in relation to seeking insurance policies...
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...Criminal Justice Trends Evaluation CJA/ 394 Vicki Jones January 29, 2012 Jill Violanda Parr In society today, we as the people of the society want to be able to feel safe in our community no matter where we are or what we are doing. There should not be any reasoning why we should not feel safe in our own community or our own neighborhood or even in our own homes. We should be able to get up every morning without having to look around and make sure it is safe to leave the bedroom, also we should be able to walk out our front door without having to look over our shoulders to make sure there is not anything or anyone that’s going to harm us. No matter what, in our community we should be able to feel safe from harm. In this essay I am going to evaluate the past, present and the future trends in the interface between components of the criminal justice system and criminal justice connections with surrounding society. I have always heard this phrase, “Whatever is the past is the past so let it stay in the past”. But when we are looking into the past and thinking of how society was then we can always say that we as a community felt safe. Our law enforcement back in the 1800’s was always there to protect us no matter what the situation was. Law Enforcement officers back then were a lot more respectful, they always treated everyone the same and did not so favoritism. Law enforcement officers back then also were always making sure that every neighborhood was safe. They would...
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...phone to operate on voice command; today’s jurors expect the introduction of evidence packed with modern science and technology in trials. These high expectations result in part from the amalgamation of public awareness, use, and availability of modern science and technology derived from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, mass media. The CSI effect does not only exist in criminal cases it also exists in civil litigations. Although the CSI effect may not be from a television show, it is enhanced by mass media and television programs. A trial attorney should go in the courtroom with skills to go against unrealistic expectations. (Dysart, 2012) No other forensic science technique has received as much attention as DNA analysis. To date, DNA has exonerated more than two-hundred people in the United States. These exonerations are a reminder that our system is flawed, and they have shed light on serious problems with the criminal justice system, including forensic science. While many assume that forensic science is a near-perfect tool for discovering the truth in criminal cases, a recent study found that false or misleading forensic expert testimony is a leading contributing factor in wrongful convictions.(Justice...
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...Alana Niedjadlo January 15, 2014 Argument Essay Mrs. DiGangi Using Animals for Scientific Testing 26 million animals are used for scientific testing each year. In 2013 a poll showed only 39% of people found testing morally wrong, 67% of registered United States voters found animal testing wrong as well. Many people believe animal testing is acceptable and have saved many humans lives. The same poll stated 56% of people, along with elderly people don’t have an opinion on animal testing but don’t care either way. Animals shouldn’t be used for scientific testing because it is inhumane, animals are not reliable testing subjects, and testing on animals is very expensive. Animal testing is cruel and inhumane. Many of the animals being tested on are subjected to force feeding, inhalation, deprivation of food or water, physical restraint, infliction wounds and burns. One of the tests used on the animals is the draize eye test which is used for cosmetic companies and shampooing products. The test evaluates irritation caused by shampoos or other products, rabbits are the testing subjects and they are incapacitated in stocks with their eyelids held open with clips for multiple days so the product doesn’t get blinked away. The USDA reported in 2010 over 97,123 animals suffered pain during the various tests they go through; most of the animals were given no anesthesia for relief. (Animal) Many people think these tests are normal and just save our lives, or help cures. These tests or...
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...Huntington's disease is an adult onset progressive brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movement, emotional problems, and the loss of thinking abilities.The disease usually appears in a person’s early thirties or forties.Early signs include depression, poor coordination, irritability, and trouble learning new information. As the disease matures affected people may have trouble swallowing, speaking and walking people also experience changes in personality and reasoning people who have the adult onset form of the disease usually live for fifteen to twenty years after showing signs. The gene that is related to the disease is a mutation that occurs in the HTT gene. The HTT gene provides instructions for making the protein huntingtin which plays...
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...Innocence at Stake: Possibility of DNA Collection from Arrestees in Canada Md Washim Ahmed ABSTRACT Followed by a decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, which approved the collection of a defendant’s DNA upon arrests under the Fourth Amendment, the Minister of Justice, Peter MacKay indicated in an interview with the Globe and Mail that he and his Ministry are considering a similar model for Canada. This paper examines the possibility of a similar legislative framework in Canada and argues that although collection of DNA upon arrests was found justified under the Fourth Amendment, it does not necessarily mean that it will be found justified under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. While s.8 of the Charter seems to give similar protection as the Fourth Amendment, they have very different requirements for judicial authorization, reasonableness and standard of “probable cause”. Scrutinizing those different requirements and standards, this paper holds that the process of DNA collection is highly intrusive and would be a serious violation of s.8 of the Charter as it could reveal an excessive amount of private information about an individual over which he/she has a strong reasonable expectation of privacy. Furthermore, it will deprive people from their right to be presumed innocent, which is protected under s.11 (d) and significantly impact socially marginalized groups. Finally, this paper conducts an analysis of the violations under s.1 of...
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...physiology Anatomy evaluates the various body structures and how they are related to each other. On the other hand, physiology is a science that evaluates the various body functions. The body functions are categorized as physical, mechanical or biochemical. This essay is based on an article titled “New DNA Tests Aimed at Reducing Colon Cancer.” This article appeared in the October 28, 2010 issue of The New York Times newspaper. The article contains findings of DNA tests that were conducted on colon cancer patients. It is estimated colon cancer afflicts at least 150,000 persons annually. The cost incurred in terms of medical spending is approximately US$14 billion. It is generally believed that the findings of the tests will help in avoiding unnecessary colonoscopies. Only those patients whose tests turn positive will be referred for colonoscopy. The DNA tests are seen as the next viable alternative for invasive colonoscopies which involves insertion of a seeing tube into the colon. When fully introduced, DNA tests are bound to be cheap and affordable. The number of patients being evaluated and the detections will also increase due to the accuracy of the tests. The tests can be carried out in two different ways: (i) Testing for the presence of four altered genes in samples of stool. The four altered genes enable colon cancer diagnosis. Exact Sciences of Madison were the innovators behind this test. This test has the capability of determining both pre-cancerous and cancerous tumors...
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...Writing in the Social Sciences Ariadne Rooney October 29, 2015 Snitches get Stitches Direct evidence is type of evidence that gives the jury a direct connection between the suspect and the crime scene, such as an eye witness. Eye witnesses do help convict guilty suspects but there are many instances where testimonies are altered to have a bias in order to receive an incentive or for some reason the testimony is recanted. This kind of incentivized lie is often referred to as a jailhouse informant, or a snitch. The jailhouse informant is used mostly in drug and murder cases and has been one of the largest contributions to a wrongful conviction and most judicial systems do not place proper policy to prevent this manipulation. This essay will highlight the history of the use and abuse of jailhouse informants, laws that prevent the misuse of snitches, and the many sides around the controversial issue. Historical Background As long as eye-witness testimonies have been regarded as a reliable source, they have been potentially unreliable. Rob Warden for The Northwestern University School of Law Center of Wrongful Convictions (2004) states that the history of the snitch dates back to our most rudimentary sense of law, predating the Pilgrims arriving to the New World. Although, the first documented case in the United States isn’t until 1819. This case involved two brothers, Jesse and Stephen Boorn, who were suspects of their brother-in-law’s murder. One of their cellmates,...
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...DNA profiling (also called DNA testing, DNA typing, or genetic fingerprinting) is a technique employed by forensic scientists to assist in the identification of individuals by their respective DNA profiles. DNA profiles are encrypted sets of numbers that reflect a person's DNA makeup, which can also be used as the person's identifier. DNA profiling should not be confused with full genome sequencing.[1] It is used in, for example, parental testing and criminal investigation. Although 99.9% of human DNA sequences are the same in every person, enough of the DNA is different to distinguish one individual from another, unless they are monozygotic twins.[2] DNA profiling uses repetitive ("repeat") sequences that are highly variable,[2] called variable number tandem repeats (VNTR), particularly short tandem repeats (STR)s. VNTRs loci are very similar between closely related humans, but so variable that unrelated individuals are extremely unlikely to have the same VNTRs. The DNA profiling technique was first reported in 1984[3] by Sir Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester in England,[4] and is now the basis of several national DNA databases. Dr. Jeffreys's genetic fingerprinting was made commercially available in 1987, when a chemical company, Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), started a blood-testing centre in England.[5] Contents [hide] 1 DNA profiling process 1.1 RFLP analysis 1.2 PCR analysis 1.3 STR analysis 1.4 AmpFLP ...
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...Denial of automatic parental responsibilities and rights (PRRs) for non-marital fathers has become increasingly difficult to justify in recent years, as a result of changes in social and cultural attitudes. Studies reveal that 51.4% of children are now born outside wedlock. Consequently, statute has intervened throughout the years in an attempt to abolish the notion of the ‘illegitimate’ child and to ameliorate the rights of the unmarried father. In this essay, the writer will describe how a non-marital father can obtain PRRs with reference to recent legislation, discussing any obstacles they may face and consider the extent to which they are still discriminated against in Scots Law. The Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 came into force on 4 May 2006. This piece of legislation significantly improved the position of the non-marital father by amending the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 which details the legal mediums through which a parent can acquire PRRs. This legislative innovation provided that unmarried fathers can acquire full PRRs providing they register as the father under any of the UK’s Acts enabling registration of births, deaths and marriages as well as registering their paternity after the amendment came into force. However, the mother is not required to register but instead obtains PRRs automatically, which is arguably discriminatory in nature against a man who is the biological father of a child born to the woman, since the mother has no mirroring obligation and acquires...
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...Humans are born with genetic mutations and malfunctions that lead to life-threatening diseases. Diseases such as cancer and alzheimer’s constantly cause suffering through families. This is why genetic testing and engineering is building up to modifying the genetic coding to the point where these diseases do not exist in the body. Not only that, genetic engineering could possibly get to a point in time in which they modify DNA for pleasing factors such as aesthetics, intelligence, talent, and personality. Genetic engineering can lead to a more improved human race, or in simpler terms, a better version of The Sims. All of this falls under the term “Designer Babies.” Designer babies are created through a pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. “An embryo is created by in-vitro fertilization that is tested for genetic diseases and genomic imbalances that can cause problems to the child. (De Magalhaes)” Through...
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...inherited, degenerative disease that destroys brain cells. It primarily affects the caudate, the putamen, and further on in the disease, the cerebral cortex. It is quite uncommon, as roughly only 30 000 people who live in America display its symptoms. Individuals with this disease experience difficulty with processing emotion, and aren’t able to process movement as quickly. They also begin to forget things they once knew. This essay will include the research of this disorder from its specific symptoms, its genetics and mutation, and finally, to the treatment for this genetic disorder. There are several symptoms that are associated with Huntington's Disorder. Regarding the onset of this disorder, it most commonly occurs between ages 35-44. However, there have been cases where children do start showing these symptoms. In the early stages, things like cognitive and physical skills start becoming difficult....
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