The recent decade has witnessed significant advances in a potent criminal justice tool, the deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. The DNA can be used to identify criminals with far-fetched precision when biological evidence exists. In all, DNA testing technology is progressing and aiding in ensuring accuracy and fairness in the criminal justice system.
In recent news by CBS News,
Advancements in DNA testing helped authorities link three deaths to a killer who died in 1999
Such evidence proves that DNA databases do assist in identifying the perpetrator and thereby play a significant role in providing justice!
However, is DNA database actually “The Future of Criminal Investigations”? Here are 6 points
A National DNA database makes it easy for the police to investigate crimes
The DNA information that forensics department get from this database is really handy in the struggle against crimes happing all over the world. In case there is a match between a crime scene’s DNA profile and a database’s DNA, the cops can be alerted promptly. Now, with all these evidence in hand, the police department can make a case against the individual and give justice.
DNA databases consider an individual’s human rights
Each person deserves to live in a society which is free from crime! The Forensic Genetics Policy Initiative looks forward to setting international standards for DNA databases that respect and protect human rights.
In another news by The Gazette,
Preserved DNA led to the arrest of a Pueblo man who would have been 15 when he allegedly raped and killed a Colorado Springs woman in 1988.
DNA forensic evidence is accurate
The DNA database is not proposed to replace conventional criminal investigations but to complement them by identifying potential suspects sooner. Moreover, often to trim down the chance of errors, the scientists test DNA profiles for more than one genetic marker. The more identical markers there are in two samples, the more accurate the test. DNA profiling might be more objective and precise than other forensic disciplines that rely on subjective judgments and interpretations.
DNA database help eliminate discrimination
Expanding a national DNA database to include the whole population could eradicate the current bias based on culture, color, or nationality. This will provide to be a masterstroke in countries where racial discrimination has rooted itself even to the law enforcement authorities. A proper and unbiased investigation can be carried out with the help of DNA evidence.
National DNA database is financially feasible
If there can be a parameter to measure the money saved due to the DNA database, the amount of money and time saved during a crime investigation will shock you. The DNA database can be easily accessed by the investigating authorities and within few minutes, they will have the name of the suspect.
Privacy of individuals on the national DNA database protected
Groups in the private sector already hold personal information; if people can instill faith the private sector, then they must trust the Government.
No doubt that DNA Database has time and again proven to be a precious tool in the fight against crime. However, a lot of people are concerned about how it has evolved from a database containing genetic information on convicted criminals to one that has data from a much broader group of people.
While various issues do linger around the existence of a DNA database, it has most definitely proved to be the future of criminal investigations, and there’s no end to innovation!
