Introduction
DNA testing, also referred to as genetic fingerprinting is a technique that is employed by forensic scientists and police investigators in solving law enforcement cases. This genetic fingerprinting has been in existence since 1984 but recently, a new technique for solving crimes has emerged. This is known as familial DNA.
Familial DNA is a technique that allows police detectives to search and complete family tree in the process comparing evidence gathered form a crime scene to its close DNA matches (Familial DNA, 2010). The investigation may consequently hit on some of the people related to the individual who committed the crime and whose DNA is already in the police database. By utilizing this technique, the investigators are essentially able to find crime suspects who the police may have not previously had a clue about (Familial DNA, 2010). This is indeed the main advantage of familial DNA testing. The other advantage of this technology is that it speeds up the investigative process and the achievement of justice. The police may spend years or even decades going through minute evidence that may eventually lead to no arrest. However, using familial DNA testing speeds up the process and ensures that the culprit is brought to justice (Butler, 2012).
However, familial DNA testing is not devoid of cons. First of all, it can viewed to be an invasion of privacy. Extracting DNA from an individual simply because the evidence obtained from a crime is similar to the one of a potential relative is unwarranted for (Butler, 2012). It is indeed a violation of human rights. In addition, the familial DNA testing technique is still not in highly advanced stages and it is therefore prone to errors and inaccuracies that may lead to false arrests (Butler, 2012).
Personally, I oppose the use of familial DNA testing. I believe that it is unwarranted for and it is an invasion one’s privacy in the name of “solving crimes”. I believe that people should not be forcefully subjected to such a complex process. Until it becomes advanced enough such that there is zero room for errors, the use of familial DNA testing should be scrapped off from crime investigation processes.
References
Butler, J. M. (2012). Advanced topics in forensic DNA typing: Methodology. San Diego, CA: Elsevier Academic Press.
Familial DNA. (2010, December 22). Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://criminaljusticeschoolinfo.com/legal-justice-news/2010/12/familial-dna/
