A DNA Bank Is Good For All — страница 2

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authorities checked their sample DNA with the DNA data bank and found a match that linked the DNA with Martin Perez, a 37 year old illegal alien. After Perez was identified by the DNA, he was also identified by witnesses, who saw him at Jean Ann BroderickAnother advantage of having a DNA data bank is that it is much easier to identify repeat offenders. Most sexual offenders commit a series of crimes, so the importance of a DNA data bank can obviously be seen. The DNA specimen left at the crime scene can be used to identify a suspect before other similar crimes are convicted. A situation like this occured in 1994 in Manhattan, New York, when three rapes occured. Anthony Monagas had lived in Florida in the early 1980One more significant use of DNA will be to eliminate suspects and

avoid false arrests. Attorney General, Janet Reno may have put it best "DNA is a powerful tool for convicting the guilty, but todayMany people argue against the idea of a DNA data base. They claim that DNA carries the genetic blueprints of people and that with the completion of the Human Genome Project DNA will be able to reveal all the personal information about an individual. DNA can say who the carriers are for diseases, or the measurements of one intelligence, and this is an invasion of privacy. These results can be sold to insurance companies or other agencies that can hold an individuals genetic information against their ownselves. Now as mentioned beforeonly Junk DNA, which contains information that has no known use, will be used. Next, the actual DNA sample does not

have to be kept only the X-ray film, and testing strips which can all be kept on computers. The government in an effort to make sure all DNA data basing is up to standard designed the DNA Identification Act to govern both the analysis and reporting of DNA forensic results, as well as providing penalties for the disclosure of DNA information. Grants will be given out over the next five years to forensic laboratories that comply with governmental standards, participate in external proficency testing and limit access to DNA information. Under this type of system DNA information is no more dangerous than actual fingerprints. Another argument that many people have about DNA is the claim that DNA is unreliable. There is a high chance of getting either incorrect results, or fudged

results because of the small room for error and the tampering that can be done. Yes there is a chance of error but results have shown that DNA is 99% accurate. Nothing is perfect and a system cannot be much more efficient than this. Tampering with evidence is not unique to DNA; evidence of any sort can be tampered with. DNA does not determine guilt, it is just evidence and even if DNA does match it does not mean that this is a definite sentence of guilt. Take the O.J. Simpson case. Massive DNA evidence was compiled that all pointed to O.J., but since there was suspicion of tampering by the L.A.P.D. he was not convicted of the crime. DNA evidence can be unreliable, but under the legal system unreliable evidence probably wonBy weighing up the arguments for a DNA data bank it is

clear that there should be a DNA data bank for all convicted criminals. Currently the existence of a DNA bank for convicted criminals is crucial to the crime fighting business. Over 30 thirty states have their own DNA databases and the FBI has a national database named Combined DNA Index System(CODIS), and it includes the DNA databases of all states that currently have one. The advantages of a DNA data base are overwhelming: The instant access to information can help in the quick apprehension of a criminal, it is much easier to identify repeat offenders in order to prevent future crimes, and the data base can also effectively eliminate suspects and end false arrests. All of society greatly benefits from a DNA database of convicted criminals. No one absolutely knows how effective

a DNA data base will be against crime in the future, but presently it fights crime like nothing else. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Javurek, Peter, "Canada2.Frank, Laura, "Fingerprints from DNA not always on money" USA TODAY 7-15-94 3. Levy, Harlan, AND THE BLOOD CRIED OUT, Basic Books, 1996 4. Maharaj, Davan, "DNA Tests Becoming The Key out of Prison in Orange County" Los Angeles Times, 6-22-96 5. DOJ RELEASES STUDY ON VALUE OF DNA TESTING TO ESTABLISH INNOCENCE; AWARDS $8.75 MILL www.elibrary.com/getdoc.cgi?id=5322482776. 6. Billings, Paul, DNA ON TRIAL, 1995