...convicted of a crime have their DNA fingerprints stored on a database? A DNA fingerprint is the same for every cell, organ and tissue in an organism. DNA fingerprinting has many uses, some of which include providing the evidence needed to solve criminal investigations, determining genetic relationships and solving paternity disputes. DNA fingerprinting has many benefits in the use of criminal investigations as it can provide the evidence to solve crimes and current mysteries, can free innocent suspects and can also cut out a great deal of investigation time. However, there are also many negative issues involved in the matter, such as privacy concerns, which may lead to discrimination and the mishandling or misinterpretation of the DNA evidence. Currently, there is a database where the DNA from samples collected at crime scenes is sored, although many believe that all people convicted of a crime should have their fingerprint stored on there. This raises the question “should all people convicted of a crime have their DNA fingerprints stored on a database?” As everybody’s DNA is unique, DNA fingerprinting is rapidly becoming the main source for identifying and distinguishing amongst individuals. The structure of DNA is a double helix shape made up of a phosphate sugar backbone, which consists of a sequence of complimentary bases held together by weak hydrogen bonds. A DNA fingerprint is manufactured by first extracting the DNA from the cells and multiplying the DNA by performing...
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...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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...Hair Analysis in Solving a Crime Name Institution Hair Analysis in Solving a Crime 1. Introduction Hair is among the most commonly used evidences in the crime investigations. Hair analysis is based on its chemical characteristics and physical structure which aid during investigations. It is notable that hairs are easily transferred hence can be left as evidence after a criminal activity. Hair analysis can be of great use in forensic analysis during an investigation since it can help prove crime in various ways. First, hair analysis can easily link a suspect to a crime scene. It can also show the association or link between the suspect and the victim. Hair analysis can also help single out a particular suspect from other suspects in the case. It is important to note that hair is a great resource to forensic science. The presence of the suspects ‘ hair on the victim’s body can help determine his or her sex and race. Hair analysis can also be used to determine the DNA of a suspect in a crime scene. The forensic problem to be solved is identification of the murder suspect in the Ford Heights Four case. A couple was robbed and murdered in Ford Heights in East Chicago. According to witnesses, four men were seen leaving the crime scene after the incident. The four men were later convicted and sentenced to prison despite their insistence on being innocent. However, after some years, DNA testing was conducted and the four suspects proved to be innocent before being released...
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...significant in or of a substance a fluid has to present within itself. A person DNA can do a lot of things in the specific biological world: such as link someone to a crime scene and identify a person(s). DNA can be taking from various different sources including blood, skin cells, semen, hair, saliva, and tissue. The use of organic materials, such as blood, semen, hair, salvia, and skin tissue, in forensic science biological evidence. Forensic scientists use different methods to identify their victims and criminals such as Fingernail scrapings and bones. A very important part of solving sexual assault and Violent crime cases are the use of biological evidence. A forensic scientist is able to locate some of the smallest pieces of biological evidence from a crime scene that you wouldn’t hardly be able to see it with the naked eye. The principles basis is that every time a person enters a room or environment, they take something with them and leave something behind which would be known as biological evidence. In order to avoid cross contamination there are special needs and techniques that are required to make sure the preserving process is done right. Whether the process is done with a saliva sample or a semen sample all just as important. Then the finish product is cross examined with people to find out if they are guilty or innocent of the crime they are being charge with. Very important facts and processes will be discussed...
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...DNA Role in Forensics Science At a crime scene there may be a lot DNA evidence left behind or none. DNA can identify victims and suspects. It can help solve cold case and give new leads to other cases. DNA is also use to determine kinship in a missing person case. It can also help exonerate someone from a crime that they were convicted of. When handling DNA such as blood at a crime scene it is important that it is properly documented, photographed, collected and stored. Besides blood, DNA can include: body fluid, hair and skin. Such DNA can be matched to an individual. DNA is the acronym for Deoxyribonucleic acid. According to Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology, “The word nucleic is referring to “DNA location in the nuclei of eukaryotic cell.” (Page49). “DNA is genetic material that humans and other organisms inherit from their parents which consists of gain molecules” (Page 48). The shape of DNA is a double helix. Some would say it looks like a twisted ladder. “The double helix has four bases; (A) Adenine, (C) Cytosine, (G) Guanine and (T) Tyhmine. The bases have to be properly linked to their pair or else there will be a mutation in the gene. The following are the base pairs that bind:”Adenine with Tyhmine and Cystosine with Guanine” (Page 49). DNA testing began in the mid 1980’s. In the online article, DNA Factors states: Ever since the start of DNA testing in 1985, biological material has been a reliable physical evidence to help solve crimes (Williams)...
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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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...Forensic Science is a fundamental component of the justice system. Forensic scientists use scientific techniques and knowledge to assist law enforcement in investigations and solving crimes. They collect and analyze numerous types of evidence, including blood, body fluids; DNA; and human tissue. Forensic scientists assist the decision makers by showing the prosecutor if the issue has merit before it reaches the courtroom thereby reducing the number of cases having to be heard. Their decisions are based on scientific investigations and not circumstantial evidence or unreliable witnesses. Forensic scientists can restore faith in the judicial system with the use of science and technology for facts in criminal and civil investigations. The legal system is established on the belief that the legal process results in justice for all. History of forensic science The history of Forensic science or the applying of scientific principles to legal questions has a lengthy and interesting history. The first recorded autopsy was reported in 44 B.C was on Julius Caesar, where the Roman physician, Antistius proclaimed that he had 23 wounds on his body but only one was fatal. In 1248, a Chinese book entitled “His Duan Yu” (meaning The Washing Away of Wrongs) explaining how to tell apart a drowning from a strangulation. This was also the first recorded use of medicine to assist in solving crimes. In 1590, the first microscope was developed. In 1775, Karl Wilhelm Scheele first discovered...
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...Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence proves as one of the most effective tools available in modern law enforcement. For all types of crimes, DNA technology remains a critical factor in prosecuting the guilty and freeing the innocent. When a law gets broken, a crime becomes committed that can get solved with the use of DNA technology because it ensures accuracy and fairness, it improves our justice system, and it simplifies criminal processes. To start, according to the article “Using DNA to Solve Crimes” on the website justice.gov, “In all, DNA technology is increasingly vital to ensuring accuracy and fairness in the criminal justice system.” In cases where a suspect gets identified, a sample of that person’s DNA can get compared to evidence from the crime scene. The results of this comparison may help establish whether the suspect committed the crime or not. According to the article “DNA Evidence in Criminal Cases” on the website nolo, “DNA evidence has thus far resulted in the release of about 250 wrongly-convicted prisoners (many of whom had served many years in prison or even faced the death penalty).” In cases where a suspect remains unidentified, biological...
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...How DNA Changed Crime DNA is at the forefront in changing how law enforcement solves criminal cases, and how the crime scene is processed. While good old police detective work is still in use, today’s DNA technology is what drives solving criminal cases, and what can mean the difference between guilty and not guilty. There are various ways the criminal justice system utilizes DNA technology. DNA evidence can be used by law enforcement to either identify a suspect or clear a suspect. DNA evidence is gathered at the crime scene such as biological evidence that can include blood, sweat, semen, etc. The DNA evidence is then compared to the law enforcement databases to identify the criminal or rule out any suspects. For example, Rosa Cinnamon, an 80 year old grandmother from Portland, Oregon, was murdered on March 25, 1976. For 35 years, her murder remained unsolved despite the efforts from law enforcement. Edward Warren was able to be identified as Rosa Cinnamon’s killer through fingernail scrapings from the victim, and it was a match from Warren even after he died in prison for another crime. DNA can also be used to exonerate convicted criminals that may be on death row or serving life in prison. In 1985, Kirk Bloodsworth, was convicted of murdering a nine year old girl in Baltimore, Maryland. He was convicted based upon a police lineup where he was singled out by eight and nine year old children. After serving almost nine years in prison, the evidence was reexamined and...
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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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...process and crime control occur in every state of the union often extending beyond the criminal trial into the arena of appeals. The United States (U.S.) Supreme Court uses its power of judicial review to decide if laws by the executive branch and legislative branch are constitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court also uses its power of judicial review to analyze various lower court decisions for the appropriate application of inherent constitutional rights. This news article analysis will discuss the requirements for search warrants, arrest warrants, and warrant exceptions in relation to probable cause under the Fourth Amendment. In a news article from the Wall Street Journal published on April 15, 2013, The U.S. Supreme Court decides to review the Maryland Supreme Court’s decision on the Maryland v. King case. The case involves a state law, known as the Maryland’s DNA Collection Act (DNA Act) that grants police with the power to obtain DNA samples from arrestees of violent crimes before a trial is given (Bravin, 2013). “In 2009, Alonzo Jay King, Jr. was arrested in Maryland on first- and second-degree assault charges” (Cowen & Park, 2013, para. 3). The police detectives obtained King’s DNA sample when he was in custody at the police station. Four months later the police detectives received a positive match linking King’s DNA to a rape case in 2003. Using the positive match as evidence of probable cause the detectives received a search warrant to obtain a second DNA sample from...
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...DNA profiling is the process that is used to determine an individual's DNA characteristics. These characteristics are just as unique as fingerprints. At first, DNA profiling was only used for paternity tests to match a parent to a child. DNA evidence was able to make its way into the courts in a 1986 double rape-homicide case. A 17 year old boy had been accused of the crime but molecular biologist Alec Jeffreys used DNA tests to prove that the boy was not the perpetrator (DNA Profiling) In 1987, the Circuit Court in Orange County, Florida made their first conviction based off of DNA evidence. Tommy Lee Andrews convicted of rape by matching his DNA sample to semen found inside the rape victim. West Virginia was the first state to rule in favor...
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...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 the people had guns, it would be important to have a way of holding citizens accountable. This is done with mathematics....
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...Jeffreys is a British geneticist who developed techniques for DNA fingerprinting and DNA profiling that are now used worldwide by investigators to bring justice to perpetrators as well as to resolve paternity and immigration disputes. After finishing his doctorate, he moved to the University of Amsterdam, where he worked on mammalian genes as a researcher, and then to the University of Leicester in 1977, where in 1984 he discovered a method of showing variations between people's DNA, formulating and developing genetic fingerprinting. Jeffreys says he had an “eureka moment” in his lab in Leicester after looking at the x-ray film image of a DNA experiment on 10 September 1984, which surprisingly showed similarities and differences...
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...Crimes occur every day from burglary, to killings, kidnapping, stealing, and many more. The people that commit those kind of crimes need to be caught so that they can pay their consequences which should help them realize the crime they committed was wrong. Catching a criminal is not easy so what are the most effective ways to catch a criminal? The forensic community plays an important role in helping out with this situation. Forensic scientist help law enforcements get a lead and solve a case. Forensic scientists use different devices like urine testing, DNA testing, DNA markers, and many more devices to help get a lead in a case in order to come to the decision of convicting the right person. Forensics technology has improved greatly over time DNA In most cases the easiest way to catch a criminal is by DNA. With DNA in a criminal case it can put you at the place of crime. There are some flaws with DNA though. There is always the possibility of people having the same DNA strands. And if a piece of hair or any other kind of DNA is found at a crime scene and that is the only evidence and two people have the same DNA strand there’s a possibility of the wrong person going to jail. Once a crime has been committed the most important item to recover is any type of evidence left at the scene. If the suspect left any DNA at the crime scene, he could then be linked to the crime and eventually charged. A suspect’s DNA can be recovered if the suspect leaves a sample of his or her DNA...
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