Philosophy
Is DNA evidence infallible in criminal justice cases?
Yes...0
No...3
Looks like there is room for "doubt". I have seen a number of those CSI television programs where a person's DNA is available within a short period of time to connect an individual with a crime and accused by law enforcement as being the "perp". It interesting to see the eccentric, Goth oriented Abby of NCIS push a few buttons, shake a test tube, and declare who is innocent or guilty with the primary evidence being DNA and minor evidence being assorted forensic goodies. [That's television.] I do not pretend to know the scientific parameters of processing and matching DNA samples but it is merely another tool to be used in criminal justice and is subject to errors. One has to be extremely careful in the methodologies of doing the actual science...certification of a clean laboratory and accepted analysis procedures must be maintained. The laboratory's history was be considered. Technicians must be qualified and periodically reviewed to maintain certification. [I have never seen a defense trial lawyer challenge such things. It is considered a given that all was done correctly...a false assumption.]
The scale of justice has tipped both ways in using DNA: Cold cases have been reopened and a criminal brought to justice and conversely, wrongly accused individuals are set free with a bus ticket, $10, a new Men's Warehouse suit, and a "We are sorry. Have a nice day" farewell statement.
Our judicial system isn't perfect and there will always be errors and bad judgement, but it is paramount to make certain that scientific tools be checked and rechecked--human lives are involved.
- Statute Of Limitations
Ought there be a statute of limitations on crimes? On the one hand, the longer one goes from the time of the crime, the more the evidence loses its strength. Over time, notoriously unreliable memories fade and become even less reliable, physical...
- A Few Years In Jail For A Serious Crime--annie Dookhan
"Mass. lab scandal defendant asks for leniency" October 18th, 2013 SFGate Prosecutors are urging a judge to sentence a Massachusetts chemist to up to seven years in prison if she pleads guilty in a drug-testing lab scandal. Annie Dookhan faces allegations...
- Number 2 In Massachusetts Crime Lab Scandal
"Massachusetts crime lab scandal explodes" by Rebecca Trage April 4th, 2013 Chemistry World More than 300 convicted inmates have been released from Massachusetts state prisons in the US as a result of the September 2012 arrest and subsequent prosecution...
- Dna...time For Debate And Renewed Analysis
"Research Calls Forensic DNA Technique Into Question" by Brandon Keim March 3rd, 2010 Wired A DNA-matching technique often used in forensics has been called to the stand. Fine-grained analysis of DNA found in cell structures called mitochondria suggests...
- Shadows Of Doubt On Dna Evidence?
An evil prosecutor could do this. I wonder if it has been done in the past. It is interesting to note that no defense attorney [yet] has challenged the efficacy of the laboratories and techniques let alone the crime scene investigators. Errors can occur....
Philosophy
"DNA evidence infallible" poll
Is DNA evidence infallible in criminal justice cases?
Yes...0
No...3
Looks like there is room for "doubt". I have seen a number of those CSI television programs where a person's DNA is available within a short period of time to connect an individual with a crime and accused by law enforcement as being the "perp". It interesting to see the eccentric, Goth oriented Abby of NCIS push a few buttons, shake a test tube, and declare who is innocent or guilty with the primary evidence being DNA and minor evidence being assorted forensic goodies. [That's television.] I do not pretend to know the scientific parameters of processing and matching DNA samples but it is merely another tool to be used in criminal justice and is subject to errors. One has to be extremely careful in the methodologies of doing the actual science...certification of a clean laboratory and accepted analysis procedures must be maintained. The laboratory's history was be considered. Technicians must be qualified and periodically reviewed to maintain certification. [I have never seen a defense trial lawyer challenge such things. It is considered a given that all was done correctly...a false assumption.]
The scale of justice has tipped both ways in using DNA: Cold cases have been reopened and a criminal brought to justice and conversely, wrongly accused individuals are set free with a bus ticket, $10, a new Men's Warehouse suit, and a "We are sorry. Have a nice day" farewell statement.
Our judicial system isn't perfect and there will always be errors and bad judgement, but it is paramount to make certain that scientific tools be checked and rechecked--human lives are involved.
- Statute Of Limitations
Ought there be a statute of limitations on crimes? On the one hand, the longer one goes from the time of the crime, the more the evidence loses its strength. Over time, notoriously unreliable memories fade and become even less reliable, physical...
- A Few Years In Jail For A Serious Crime--annie Dookhan
"Mass. lab scandal defendant asks for leniency" October 18th, 2013 SFGate Prosecutors are urging a judge to sentence a Massachusetts chemist to up to seven years in prison if she pleads guilty in a drug-testing lab scandal. Annie Dookhan faces allegations...
- Number 2 In Massachusetts Crime Lab Scandal
"Massachusetts crime lab scandal explodes" by Rebecca Trage April 4th, 2013 Chemistry World More than 300 convicted inmates have been released from Massachusetts state prisons in the US as a result of the September 2012 arrest and subsequent prosecution...
- Dna...time For Debate And Renewed Analysis
"Research Calls Forensic DNA Technique Into Question" by Brandon Keim March 3rd, 2010 Wired A DNA-matching technique often used in forensics has been called to the stand. Fine-grained analysis of DNA found in cell structures called mitochondria suggests...
- Shadows Of Doubt On Dna Evidence?
An evil prosecutor could do this. I wonder if it has been done in the past. It is interesting to note that no defense attorney [yet] has challenged the efficacy of the laboratories and techniques let alone the crime scene investigators. Errors can occur....