DNA Profiling

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Recommended: Use of DNA fingerprinting in criminal justice

DNA profiling is used in a variety of ways, such as establishing proof of paternity, or identifying siblings. While DNA contains material common to all humans, some portions are unique to each individual; thus, DNA testing can help solve crimes by comparing the DNA profiles of suspects to offender samples.
DNA profiles can be used to identify individuals, allowing evidence to be used both as a means of convicting the guilty and as a means of exonerating the innocent. People can leave traces of their DNA at a crime scene because it is inside every cell of their body. DNA can be extracted from blood, semen, saliva or hair roots left at a crime scene using a chemical process. Tiny amounts of DNA can be extracted from a single cell – such as cells shed from someone’s skin when they touch an object. Police can also collect biological samples from suspects, usually by scraping some cells from inside their cheek. If the DNA profile from an individual matches the DNA profile from a crime scene it is therefore highly likely that the blood, semen or saliva left at the crime scene came from them. Also, in a paternity test, the mother’s DNA profile is compared with the child’s to find which half was passed on by the mother. The other half of the child’s DNA is then compared with the alleged father’s DNA profile. If they don’t match, the ‘father’ is excluded, which means he isn’t the father of that child. If the DNA profiles match, the ‘father’ is not excluded - which means there is a high probability that he is the father. In both of these cases, the DNA profile is much like a “genetic fingerprint”, and if there are records kept such as birth certificates and social security numbers, then DNA profiles make just as much sense to keep.
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...o be done. Both the use of and access to DNA databases need to be strictly limited. DNA databases should only be used for law enforcement purposes and once DNA profiles are created the original DNA samples should be destroyed. Regulations also need to be put in place that address the procedures for the taking of DNA samples and procedure for the maintenance of DNA databases. These safeguards need to be enforced through regular testing of DNA databases and the implementation of strict penalties for violations of any of the safeguards. There can be great benefits to the use of DNA databases, but these benefits can only be realized if the privacy rights of those required to provide DNA samples are protected. This protection will only occur as a result of national safeguards such as those mentioned above that databases as well as those using them are required to follow.

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