Application of DNA technology to solve crime:
Literature review:
DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is found in the nuclei of the living cells of all living organisms. DNA is the hereditary material and its structure is unique to a specific organism. It is considered as the building block of the body. It has extensive application in forensic science mainly due to its specificity and accuracy. It is particularly important in solving crimes, ranging from petty crimes, property crimes to violent crimes. What the research wants to find out is whether it is an efficient way of solving crime and what challenges it faces.
This research paper will be conducted using books that have topics related to DNA, DNA technology and use of DNA to solve crimes. The internet is a special tool and will be used to as a source of some of the data found in the research paper.
Research Questions:
1. How has DNA and technology been fused to enhanced the process of solving crime?
2. Is the use of DNA technology an efficient method of solving crime?
3. What are the challenges facing DNA technology?
Annotated Bibliography:
Johnson, Ashley Jean. DNA and the Criminal Justice System. ProQuest Publishers, 2006.
According to the source, DNA collected from crime scenes is important in positive identification of criminals. DNA technology can also be used to rule out suspects and exonerate mistaken identities falsely accused or convicted. Its use has been vital in improving the fairness, accuracy and efficacy of the judicial systems. DNA technology has also found its application in identifying victims of crime and catastrophe victims. DNA technology has been used to establish paternity and other family relationships that are of interest in particular cases.
Smith, Gina. The Genomics Age: How Dna Technology Is Transforming the Way We Live and Who We Are. New York: Amacom, 2005.
According to this source, DNA is being used in different ways is society. This has been enhanced by the use of technology. For example, when it comes to animal rights and protection, DNA technology has been used to identify different species of endangered and protected species. This has aided the local enforcement and wildlife officials arming them with evidence which they can use for prosecuting poachers. DNA comparison has also been used to compare and authenticate consumables found in crime scenes or during a post mortem.
Moriarty, Laura J. Criminal Justice Technology In The 21st Century. Illinois: Charles C Thomas Publisher Ltd, 2005.
The author examines how DNA technology is a powerful tool against crime. In Washington, the government has a DNA databank which has more than 33,000 DNA profiles of violent criminals and sex offenders that have been convicted since 1990. Improved approaches and advances in DNA identification science have allowed development of much faster procedures and accurate matching and comparison of evidence from crime scenes when compared to these databanks. Support from the government has enabled the crime lab to convert its databank to use the relatively new “short tandem repeat” technology. This has improved ways through which samples are stored and made it easier for the law enforcement officials nationwide to compare DNA samples recovered from crime scenes.
Karen Matison Hess, Ph.D., Christine Hess Orthmann, Henry Lim Cho. Introduction to Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Cengage Learning, 2011.
According to this source, DNA technology has also been used to open up old cases that could not be solved in the past. DNA evidence from the past crime scenes have been analyzed compared and matched to the parties of interest. This has enabled law enforcement officials to breaks a lot of the “cold” cases that were left hanging and unsolved in the past.
Pyrek, Kelly M. Forensic Science Under Siege: The Challenges of Forensic Laboratories. Elsevier Academic Press, 2007.
According to the source, the use of DNA technology has not been all fluent and has encountered some challenges since its implementation and subsequent use. He goes on to list some of the most challenging aspects facing DNA technology. They are:
1. How to eliminate the current backlog of unanalyzed DNA samples and biological evidence for the most serious violent offenses;
2. How to improve crime laboratories capacities to analyze DNA in a timely fashion;
3. how to stimulate research and develop new DNA technologies and advances in all forensic sciences areas;
4. How to develop training and provide assistance about the collection and use of DNA evidence to a wide variety of criminal justice professionals;
5. How to provide access to appropriate post-conviction DNA testing of crime scene evidence not tested at time of trial;
6. How to ensure that DNA forensic technology is used to its full potential to solve missing persons cases and identify human remains and finally how to protect the innocent.
Newton, David. DNA Technology: A Reference Handbook. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2009.
This source discusses how DNA analysis like other areas of biotechnology is rapidly evolving. Some of the solutions he offers for the current challenges are: further and deep research and development to be developed in order to open up new ways to assist crime labs; developing smaller faster and cheaper analysis tools will reduce capital investments for crime laboratories while increasing their capacity; increasing funding, training and assistance to federal state and the local forensics laboratories, to all members of law enforcements involved in the process of using DNA technology to solve crimes. It includes medical professionals, victim-service providers, prosecutors and lawyers. Extensive training of the personnel on how to handle, collect and test samples goes a long way to ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of DNA technology.
Wall, Wilson. Genetics And DNA Technology: Legal Aspects. London: Cavendish Publishing, 2004.
According to this source, although DNA technology is a relatively new method in the field of forensics, it has proved crucial, efficient and reliable in solving even the most violent of crimes. For this reason I would recommend its use and adaptation by the entire law enforcement department in order to harness its powers to help in solving of crimes.
Work Cited:
Johnson, Ashley Jean. DNA and the Criminal Justice System. ProQuest Publishers, 2006.
Karen Matison Hess, Ph.D., Christine Hess Orthmann, Henry Lim Cho. Introduction to Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Cengage Learning, 2011.
Moriarty, Laura J. Criminal Justice Technology In The 21st Century. Illinois: Charles C Thomas Publisher Ltd, 2005.
Newton, David. DNA Technology: A Reference Handbook. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2009.
Pyrek, Kelly M. Forensic Science Under Siege: The Challenges of Forensic Laboratories. Elsevier Academic Press, 2007.
Smith, Gina. The Genomics Age: How Dna Technology Is Transforming the Way We Live and Who We Are. New York: Amacom, 2005.
Wall, Wilson. Genetics And DNA Technology: Legal Aspects. London: Cavendish Publishing, 2004.
