The Effects of Dna on Criminal Investigation

The Impact of DNA on Criminal Investigations Science has become a very valuable tool for law enforcement. scientific evidence is used every day in criminal and civil courts throughout the United States; helping to Solve particularly difficult cases where all other investigative techniques have failed, provide clues where there are no witnesses, reduce the number of wrongful arrests, increase the reliability of evidence. Link together cases that otherwise could not be connected, such as local cases ranging from breaking and entering to homicide, multijurisdictional cases such as gang crimes, serial sexual assaults or murders, and major international investigations. DNA profiling can also be used effectively to convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent. Since the introduction of DNA evidence, it has played a key role in the investigation of numerous crimes; police now rely on DNA analysis to provide intelligence that was previously unavailable. The compelling evidentiary value of this technology has resulted in an increased expectation of impartial scientific evidence in the courts. It has been used as a part of impartial reviews of post conviction cases, and its convincing discriminatory ability has been instrumental in demonstrating support for exonerations and convictions alike. The judicious application of forensic science early in an investigation can lead to the development of investigative information that can save money, time, and resources for police agencies. The whole investigative process can be shortened by the influence of such analysis on the direction of an investigation, by providing information that can be used to enhance conventional interrogative strategies and by limiting the contesting of the evidence in court. In many instances, trials are shortened or the need for a trial is eliminated altogether, further saving resources that can instead be deployed elsewhere, both for the police and the broader justice system. In