...How DNA has changed the Criminal Justice System Dorothy Harris Professor Sean Kelley Information Technology in Criminal Justice November 9, 2011 How DNA has changed 1 The technology has changed many aspects of the criminal justice system, and the use of DNA evidence represents one of the best examples on how technology has change the criminal justice system. The use of DNA has changed by allowing other materials beside blood to be used as identification. The DNA technology is behind what it takes in solving criminal cases, and the meaning between guilty and not guilty or life or death. There are various ways that the criminal justice system uses DNA technology. DNA has been used to analyze and prove innocence or guilty of suspects of crimes with great accuracy. DNA is part of everyday life. IT is the heredity material in humans abs almost all other organisms. In 1994, the DNA Identification Act established a national DNA database, run by the FBI, called CODIS (Combined DNA Identification System), which links all states. While the creation of DNA databases often can be defended case by case, the development of this technology serves an end in itself apart from any particular application. It provides an inescapable means of identification, categorization, and profiling, and it does so with a type of information that is revelatory...
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...DNA has shaped all organisms and shows the genetic code that makes us who we are today. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid a double helix structure. It is like a twisted ladder with unequaled attributes. It has the ability to store genetic information, copy it, and pass it from generations to others making a unique genetic code. DNA profiling, the analysis of DNA samples to establish if they come from the same person has been used in many situations over the past few decades for identification. This has revolutionized science tremendously. It had changed and improved how forensic science is performed. DNA profiling, especially in crime scenes has been a matter of life or death in many stories. Over the years the analysis of DNA evidence...
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...Assignment: DNA Testing James Bunch CRJ311 Forensics Instructor Will Curcio April 9, 2012 This paper will compare and contrast the newest DNA-typing techniques and short tandem repeats (STRs) with previous DNA typing tests. It will detail how DNA is currently used in criminal investigations. Finally, what is the current impact of DNA testing on the criminal justice system and how has DNA revolutionized this system? In April of 1953 Dr’s Watson and Crick announced the discovery of deoxyribonucleic acid, better known as DNA. The scientific world has not been the same. Before the discovery of DNA the investigators could use blood to narrow the list of suspects. With the discovery of DNA we now have a blood “fingerprint”. Identical twins do not have identical finger prints and in some cases they do not have identical DNA (2008, Casselman). This can make the job of the investigator easier. DNA testing began with Dr. Alec Jeffery in 185 he discovered that certain places on the DNA molecule were repeated. He also found that these repeated sequences were unique to each individual. These repeated sequenced areas are known as VNTRs which is an acronym for variable number tandem repeats. The technique Jeffrey...
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...How Technology Has Changed Policing Since the implementation of the two-way radio back in the 1930’s, technology has rapidly changed policing in many ways. There have been so many groundbreaking technological advances in policing which are usually advantageous to officers. First, it was motorized patrol which increased response time. Next, the two way radio which made it game changing for preventative patrol, because officer can quickly get word from the station when they are notified of a crime and can be there quickly. Also, some of the newer technologies are also very significant as well, such as DNA testing and video surveillance. All of these things have shaped the roles that present day police officers have. When it comes to technology there are so many different way that it effects policing, but three of the biggest topics are, technological advancements in the late 20th and early 21st century, the use of technology to deter and prevent crime, and how technology impacts police culture, organizational structure, and management. Over the last thirty to forty technology in policing has increased to a level thought unimaginable fifty years ago. One of the most important pieces of technology that has really developed, is the collection of information in databases around the country at the hand of any officer at any time. With all this information that an officer has readily at use it can make the job not just easier but safer. If an officer pulls someone over just...
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...Crime Data Comparison Paper Name CJA/ 314 January, 2014 Dr. Anthony Carbo Abstract In this paper, this student completes the following: This student will compare forcible rape crime rates for California and Oregon. This student will compare the data to show which metropolitan area had more reported incidents of forcible rape crimes. This student will also identify the rates of the crime for each metropolitan area. In addition, this student will address how the crime rate changed over time in each city, and what factors might explain the differences in the rates? Finally, this student provides a conclusion about the topic Crime Data Comparison Paper In this paper, this student completes the following: This student will compare forcible rape crime rates for California and Oregon State. This student will compare the data to show which metropolitan area had more reported incidents of forcible rape crimes. This student will also identify the rates of the crime for each metropolitan area. In addition, this student will address how the crime rate changed over time in each state, and what factors might explain the differences in the rates? Finally, this student provides a conclusion about the topic * Number of Forcible Rape Crimes Reported The FBI has gathered crime statistics from law enforcement agencies from across the Nation that voluntarily participates in the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program since 1930. The "UCR Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics" (2010)...
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...Today technology has advanced so much that we can get DNA from people just by a little bit of skin or saliva but, it was not always like this. The crime scene has come a long way from where it started. It’s evolution not only produced better results and more techniques to investigate, but has fixed issues that may have occurred before. Unlike how most people think of it forensics uses in investigations has been around for more than just the past 50 years. It has been around for thousands. In ancient times people assumed the way people died on where and how their body was found. For example if a body was found near or in a river it was assumed that they drowned. Another is if a body was found on the side of the road being bloody with broken...
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...world; they are all being taught the same language. Math is the universal language of the world and math has changed the world from the time of the Egyptians to the present day era of technology. Mathematicians like Nicolaus Copernicus gave the world the truth of the universe with heliocentrism, while Isaac Newton gave the world the modern laws of physics. Mathematics has even paved its way into music with each beat of music being timed by numbers. Math is everywhere and people with brilliant minds can use mathematics to contribute to the world in very positive ways. One such way is the science of forensics. Without math, forensics could not exist. As population growth increases at an alarming rate, people have to find ways of holding people accountable for unlawful behavior. Forensic science has allowed civilization to evolve and become less barbaric and move towards factual based evidence when solving crimes against nature. Forensic science measures facts involving a crime and figure out the truth behind those measurements. Whether it is the skid marks from a vehicle collision or blood splatter analysis; mathematics is the reason why this can be done. Forensics have paved the way to a better justice system providing factual based evidence based upon math laws that are accepted as truth. The study of ballistics and the trajectory of bullets is a crucial element in crime solving strategy. In the United States, it is everyone’s privilege to own a gun lawfully. If the majority of...
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...New Methods for the Forensic Analysis of DNA By Professor David S. Haymer I attended the lecture by Professor Haymer about new methods for the forensic analysis of DNA. Forensic science has long been used in the US legal system for classic fingerprints, lie detector tests and others. Even though the use of DNA evidence is relatively new, it has changed a lot about forensic science and how things are done. It’s changed the legal standards for use of forensics in the courtroom and the way the evidence is collected and preserved, and how police are trained to investigate crimes. DNA is considered to be superior in many ways to other forms of forensic evidence like fingerprints, hair analysis and serology tests. The only DNA forensic evidence...
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...Unit 2, Ind. Project , American Intercontinental University Theories of Crime causation Criminal justice 105 Abstract This paper discusses the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. The author of this paper includes examples that she found through research studies. The author also includes the results and findings for twin, adoption and testosterone studies that were conducted by top professionals in the study of genetics and the biological environments that surround us. The author also has listed some of the dangers of suggesting that there is in fact a criminal gene in the field of Criminal justice that is in existence and what the repercussions would be if it was proven to be the truth. This paper is informative and professionally cited. Discuss the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. Criminality is definitely influenced by genetic factors as well as environment. For example studies were conducted among adopted children that have a biological parent that is a criminal these children have a higher risk of engaging in criminal activities, according to Richard J. Hernstein. He asserts that there have been many other studies that confirm certain physical traits, such as muscularity, gender and some have an extra Y chromosome, these children were also at a higher risk of committing crime. Therefore the late Hernstein argues, it’s refutable that criminal behavior has a genetic source. All...
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...the most insignificant clue becoming the one piece of evidence that is the key to the whole case. Just as dated as those television shows, so is the investigative practice. Present day, almost all investigative crimes involve the collection of forensic evidence that is broken down into two categories: organic versus inorganic evidence. This paper will detail the differences between organic and inorganic evidence, explain the strengths and weaknesses of each, and breakdown the significance of either organic or inorganic evidence as it travels through the justice system from the crime scene to prosecution. The way evidence collected can be broken down into two categories; organic and inorganic. According to Saferstein (2011), “Organic substances contain carbon, commonly in combination with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, phosphorus, or other elements. Inorganic substances encompass all other known chemicals substances. Each of these two broad groups has distinctive and characteristics properties (p. 123, Para 3). In laymen’s terms, organic evidence is biological evidence that has once lived (i.e. blood, hair, or any liquid that originates from a human or animal). Whereas, the second category inorganic evidence; it’s the non-biological evidence collected at a crime scene. Inorganic evidence has never lived before (i.e. bullets, fiber evidence, chipped paint, murder weapon, a rock or water). The reason why...
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...Unit 2, Ind. Project , American Intercontinental University Theories of Crime causation Criminal justice 105 Abstract This paper discusses the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. The author of this paper includes examples that she found through research studies. The author also includes the results and findings for twin, adoption and testosterone studies that were conducted by top professionals in the study of genetics and the biological environments that surround us. The author also has listed some of the dangers of suggesting that there is in fact a criminal gene in the field of Criminal justice that is in existence and what the repercussions would be if it was proven to be the truth. This paper is informative and professionally cited. Discuss the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. Criminality is definitely influenced by genetic factors as well as environment. For example studies were conducted among adopted children that have a biological parent that is a criminal these children have a higher risk of engaging in criminal activities, according to Richard J. Hernstein. He asserts that there have been many other studies that confirm certain physical traits, such as muscularity, gender and some have an extra Y chromosome, these children were also at a higher risk of committing crime. Therefore the late Hernstein argues, it’s refutable that criminal behavior has a genetic source. All...
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...better chance on solving the crime, be effective and deterrence of future crimes. Aberjhani said, “Many may very well continue to ask why more value is placed on technicalities of a law than on a man’s flesh and blood life, especially when there is any amount of “doubt” at all regarding his guilt or innocence.” The value is put on technicalities to unsure that the truth is said and justice is indeed done. There never needs to be a mistake when it comes to justice and the law. Laws are made to help criminal investigators solve the crime and ensure the guilty is caught and punished. The development of new laws causes the criminal investigators responsibilities to change quite often. The new laws can affect the criminal investigators because if they don’t process the case correctly the person that is guilty may walk away free and without being punished to the full strength of the law. A good example is the law stating that a person has to give there confession on video camera in the state of Connecticut. The confession must be recorded on more serious crimes. This means that by law that if the confession is not recorded electronically or digitally that the case may not stick on the person. A guilty individual may squeeze through the cracks and not be punished by the law. Also recording the confession can help the criminal investigators by being able to look over the confession and see if there was anything that was missed. It is like preserving the crime scene that is very important...
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...A DNA databank is just that, a databank. It would contain DNA samples from every citizen in the United States. The controversy starts where privacy rights are brought up. Pro: A DNA databank would allow law enforcement to catch criminals that haven’t committed a crime before. In the current system, DNA is only kept for convicted criminals. A DNA databank should exist in order to make identifying criminals easier and to assist the medical/scientific community. 1. The most simple point there could be: it would be easier to catch offenders, even if it was their first time committing a crime. This is inarguably valuable and would probably even result in most offenders being caught quicker than they normally would. I personally feel like it...
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...Forensics History Theresia L. Coates Criminal Justice 1010 Forensics History What does Forensics mean? How old is forensic science? When it was first applied to the law? How has the Forensic science changed the arrest and prosecution success of criminals? The term "forensic" comes from the Latin and means, simply, having to do with the law. How has Forensics evolved from the beginning until today? Let us delve into the history of forensics and its blossoming partnership with the law. Surprisingly, Forensic Science has been around and used in criminal investigations in some manner since before the Roman Empire making it centuries old. It has only been within the last century that law enforcement agencies and the court systems have come to rely so heavily on the use of scientific practices in crime scene investigations.1 The first application of forensic science was by the Roman physician Antistius in the year 44 B.C., whom examined the body of Julius Caesar. He determined even though the dictator was stabbed 23 times, only one wound through his chest caused his actual death. This autopsy is thought to be the first one recorded and the start of using forensic science. Here in the Greek and Roman society extensive knowledge was developed regarding the production, use and symptoms of various poisons, making it possible to identify their use in previously undetected murders. Thanks to these western civilizations advances in the medical field as well as pharmacology were...
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...‘unofficially’ regulate DNA analysis and force ‘private companies to adopt its technological system’” (Edmond 130). These debates in the courtroom have led to regulations that are in place to ensure the proper gathering and testing of DNA evidence so that only accurate evidence is admitted in court. Suspects have a right to a fair trial and following the DNA wars, fair trials include correct evidence to be presented otherwise they may be acquitted or a mistrial may be declared. One of the factors to ensuring correct evidence is a process known as the chain of custody. The chain of custody, if followed properly, keeps track of continuity of possession. Evidence must be correctly...
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