Since the first murderer was apprehended with genetic evidence, advances in DNA profiling techniques have made the process quicker, more accurate, and more user-friendly. It is generally agreed that one of the most significant achievements of the 20th century was the identification of it. Not only has it been used to solve many crimes, but it has also been utilized to forgive persons who were wrongfully convicted and solve other cold cases.
It is somewhat astonishing that this is even feasible after the atrocity was done many decades ago; yet, substantial gains have been made in the technology of DNA analysis over the last 30 years, making this possibility plausible.
Some great benefits of using DNA technology in the criminal justice system
DNA technology enables the identification of offenders in a timely and precise manner within the legal system when it is used to the fullest extent of its capabilities. Whenever the crime control system is given the financing, new tech, and additional help, it needs to fully realize the rewards of DNA technology, the number of crimes that are solved, and the people wrongfully accused of or found guilty of crimes increases.
Some other benefits are:
Reduce or Do Away with Backlogs
With this technology, the backlogs of DNA samples waiting to be examined for the most severe violent crimes may be eliminated. As a result, the investigation of cases involving rape, homicides, and kidnappings, as well as samples from convicted offenders who need testing, is sped up.
Increase the capacity of the crime lab
It helps increase the analytical capacity of national, regional, and municipal crime laboratories, allowing them to process their samples in a manner that is both efficient and cost-effective, contributing to the prevention of future backlogs.
Fastens R&D
Being a technology-driven sector, creative investigation to create techniques of DNA analysis that are both quick and less expensive is being conducted. In turn, this aided the ability to examine smaller and more deteriorated samples.
DNA technology to protect the Innocent
The discovery of DNA has helped to exonerate some who were wrongfully accused of crimes. By granting state or federal convicts who may have been wrongfully convicted recourse to post-conviction DNA testing in good situations, we can help ensure that justice is served.
DNA to Identify Missing Persons
The sad incidents of September 11, 2001, illustrated, on a national scale, the potential for the misery that may result from the inability to identify the remains of a lost individual. Better information and training on the use it to identify missing individuals were offered to forensic experts, coroners, law enforcement officers, and the relatives of victims to assist in bringing closure to the families.
Getting beyond the constraints of DNA
There have been significant concerns regarding the trustworthiness of evidence throughout the years, especially about cross-contamination. Some of these worries, according to experts, are well-founded; external influences more often cause contamination than faulty DNA. In addition, some samples have also been corrupted by being combined with others.
Due to extensive study into mitigating contamination risk, numerous processes are now in place that may alleviate these problems. For example, degraded materials may be analyzed using various kits, methods that remove barriers, and technology that can identify distinct profiles. In addition, the equipment used in the lab is routinely tested for background DNA, and the lab records are cross-checked to guarantee that a DNA “match” is discovered.
As well as ensuring that the case’s reference samples were not evaluated in the same lab at the same time and that all work documentation was peer-reviewed. Shocking assault kits were created, including all the medical supplies required by the physician for an examination, so they don’t have to be contaminated by the DNA of another person.
DNA analysis: what’s next?
The forensics profession is already considering the next phase of analysis tools, which is surprising considering how excellent the existing quick DNA systems are. However, analyzing new approaches to sequencing is only getting started in the scientific community.
DNA sequences may also be analyzed by using arrays of single-stranded DNA segments as patterns for synthesis and the subsequent detection of the order in which complementary bases are added. Next-generation approaches benefit from traditional methods of processing multiple samples in parallel, making them much quicker than conventional methods.
Several innovations are still on the horizon that will help advance DNA analysis and guarantee that it is used to its maximum potential. For example, this might lead to constructing a suspect’s image in the form of a computer-generated, three-dimensional replica of the person’s DNA.