Dna or Deoxyribosenucleic Acid

The use of ?DNA? in police investigations

The issue whether DNA should be used in police investigations is

widely debated in the community. It is an important issue because it

brings to attention the moral and ethical implications of using DNA as

an investigative tool. A variety of different options have been put

forward about the issue. DNA or deoxyribosenucleic acid is the genetic

material in cells specific to the individual (James & Nordy, 2002).

Bodily fluids, skin, bones or blood samples can be tested for DNA

material. What made it an important discovery was the fact that it had

the potential to revolutionize policing methods. Even though the use

of DNA evidence in police investigations is a growing phenomenon the

general consensus of wider population may hinder its full potential as

a tool for justice.

Firstly some background information about DNA, the history of DNA is

very recent as it was discovered by Oswald Avery in the 70?s and in

terms of law enforcement DNA plays a major role in forensic science.

Forensic science is the application of science in aspects of law

(James & Nordy, 2002). It is the use of scientific principles and

technological practices to the purpose of justice in the study and

resolution of criminal, civil and regulatory issues.

The use of forensic science as a tool in the search for the truth

allows justice to be done not only by apprehending the guilty, but

also by freeing the innocent.

It has been argued that the use of DNA as an investigative tool is

inaccurate because incidents may occur whereby the crime scene may

have become contaminated and therefore the use of DNA from that

particular crime scene would be unreliable, those who believe this

have their validity in their claim however it must also be considered

there are strict instructions and guidelines in place for forensic

experts on how to examine a crime scene such as the need to wear fresh

pair of latex gloves. Moreover there is immaculate professionalism

involved in the procedures to obtaining DNA evidence.

It is the contention of critics that the cost of DNA abstraction and

analysis is simply too much however it must be stated that the world

is in the early stages of using DNA as an investigative tool and

research is being instigated to finding new techniques which will

decrease the cost of taking DNA samples. furthermore systems are being

manufactured that will not only cut the cost of taking DNA samples but

will also enable samples to be quickly taken and analyzed which in

effect would speed the investigation up. The ability of taking a

sample and analysing it quickly could be essential since it means

investigations can take place quickly and therefore increasing

probability of bringing the criminal to justice.

It has been argued that keeping DNA records of people wrongly

suspected of crimes in certain parts of the country could lead to an

over representation of certain ethnic groups and could lead to

resentment, these arguments are completely true to however the

solution to this problem should not be to erase DNA records but to

extend DNA profiling to everyone in Britain