DNA Data Banks: Infringement on Defendants

Over the past decade, DNA technology has revolutionized the criminal justice system. In countless cases DNA results have served to identify suspects, convict the guilty, and bring solace to many victims. In several cases DNA examinations have exonerated the innocent, at times, after years of unjust imprisonment. DNA technology has also been used to identify human remains from mass disasters, such as the one experienced by the United States of America on September 11, 2001. There are many arguments for and against the use of DNA data banks. Privacy advocates state that DNA data banks may threaten an individuals’ rights of privacy due to misuse and unlawful dissemination of DNA information. On the other hand, convicted felons feel that the forcible collection of genetic samples violates their protection against unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment. After researching the validity of these arguments, I feel neither is the case. A comprehensive DNA data bank, that includes all citizens of the United States., makes sense and would treat all citizens equally, unlike current laws that often give authorities discretion

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Within weeks, the DNA profile of Ridgway was matched to four of the forty-nine murder victims (Washington News 12/01/2001). Somewhere in this twilight zone the evidential force of the principle must be recognized, and while the courts will go a long way in admitting expert testimony deduced from well-recognized scientific principle or discovery, the thing from which the deduction is made must be sufficiently established to have gained general acceptance in the particular field in which it belongs. These profiles are built from biological evidence either collected from an individual or left at a scene. This system connects individual states to one main system through which DNA can be searched throughout the United States. DNA typing was initiated in the United States in late 1986 by several commercial laboratories and then in 1988 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It was first used in casework in 1985 in the United Kingdom. Family survivors could be issued an official death certificate in a timelier manner, which would allow them to place claims for benefits they are entitled to due to the loss of their loved one as well as having closure in knowing their remains have been identified.

Common topics in this essay:
Fourth Amendment, Green River, Ethics Fall, Forensic DNA, Congressional Statement, Trade Towers, DNA Evidence, Frye United, Index System, Justice System, dna data, data banks, dna data banks, dna testing, dna technology, data bank, dna data bank, dna samples, dna information, forensic dna, law medicine ethics, journal law, comprehensive dna data, fisher 233, journal law medicine,

Approximate Word count = 2282
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

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