Module 7: Grant Writing and Nurse Entrepreneur
The Innovative Idea
DNA profiling is a modern procedure employed in the identification of individuals using the characteristics of their DNA or genetic makeup (Maryville University, 2020). Although people may have the same hair and eye color, it is unlikely that two individuals, despite their physical appearance as in the case of twins, will have similar DNA. DNA profiling is widely used by forensic scientists to obtain data ob varied aspects such as in determining the identity of a father and in studying evidence from a scene of crime. In the criminal justice system, DNA profiling and forensics have facilitated accurate comparisons of the profiles of criminal suspects using DNA evidence to ascertain their participation in crime. There are many instances when DNA profiling and forensics have helped law enforcement officials to solve past criminal cases by collecting material rich in DNA that was not possible to assess before the advent of DNA profiling. In such instances, DNA profiling has helped free people who had been wrongly convicted, implying that these new technologies play a significant role in increasing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
DNA analysis has proven a very reliable technique with forensic detectives because it avails better capabilities than any other available forensic discipline. The technology is so advanced that forensic scientists can use a strand of hair or a drop of blood from a crime science and use these samples to identify a suspect accurately. Once forensic scientists get a sample from a suspect, they extract the DNA from the form the suspect’s blood, hair, tooth, or fingernail cells and copy it. The scientists then read this information and use it to make a DNA profiling for the suspect that the police can then read. If the results of the sample do not match, DNA profiling helps exonerate suspects who may not have been set free without the assistance of this technology especially if law enforcement assumed such people guilty, for instance, due to having conflict of interest.
The U.S. Department of Justice (2017) notes that forensic scientists use DNA evidence to solve crime using one of two approaches. One strategy entails when the identification of a suspect is done and a sample of their DNA taken. The forensic scientists then read this sample and compare it to the evidence obtained from a scene of crime to determine if the samples match with the DNA. If the DNA in the material from the crime scene matches with the suspect’s, they are determined guilty. In the instance where a suspect is yet to be identified, forensic scientists can use the biological evidence derived from a scene of crime. Such evidence could include blood or hair samples in the cases of rape or murder, and the resulting DNA profiling results could be used by the law enforcement detectives to make comparisons of the results to the profiles of offenders contained in police databases to help locate the offender. It is also possible to link evidence form on crime scene to evidence from another, hence helping authorities to map out a pattern of crime and identify perpetrators accurately.
Evidently, DNA profiling has improved accuracy of in identifying perpetrators of crime based on the vastly improved identification techniques. Considering the many instances DNA and forensics have helped exonerate people who have been wrongly accused of crime, it is clear that these techniques have also introduced fairness to the criminal justice system. Additionally, DNA profiling has helped eliminate the need to rely on eye witnesses because their evidence has often conflicted and proved unreliable, leading to wrongful convictions.
Conclusion
Advances in the collection and assessment of DNA coupled with the influence of DNA technology, have changed the criminal justice system in numerous ways. However, despite the much advancement seen in the collection and evaluation of DNA, it is necessary that resources be dedicated to alleviate the accumulation of yet analyzed DNA samples in public crime forensic laboratories. Additionally, there is a need to resource these laboratories to enhance their capacity to deal with the ever increasing samples of DNA and evidence requiring testing. Further, there is need to develop quicker strategies of evaluating DNA evidence, which can also be enhanced by providing forensics professional with additional assistance and training in DNA analysis.
References
Maryville University. (2020). How is DNA profiling used to solve crimes? Retrieved on 20thApril, 2020 from https://online.maryville.edu/blog/how-is-dna-profiling-used-to-solve-crimes/
U.S. Department of Justice. (2017). Advancing justice through DNA technology: Using DNA to solve crimes. Retrieved on 20thApril, 2020 from https://www.justice.gov/archives/ag/advancing-justice-through-dna-technology-using-dna-solve-crimes