Using DNA in Criminal Trials

Using DNA in Criminal Trials

DNA evidence is extremely helpful in criminal trials not only because it can determine the guilt of a suspect, but also because it can keep innocent people from going to jail. The suspect must leave a sample of their DNA at the crime scene in order for testing to occur, but DNA can be found in the form of many things such as semen, blood, hair, saliva, or skin scrapings. According to Newsweek, "thousands of people have been convicted by DNA's nearly miraculous ability to search out suspects across space and time… hundreds of innocent people have also been freed, often after years behind bars, sometimes just short of the death chamber" (Adler ). Though some may think it is a waste of time to go back and attempt to release convicts from prison after they have been in jail for such a long time, but since DNA testing had proven to be quite a successful method of doing this, it could help in many ways. First of all, if a person is not guilty of a crime they are in prison for committing, they have every right to attempt to prove their innocence. A great advantage to releasing these innocent people from prison is that they allow for more room in prisons for those who are actually guilty of the crimes.

Another reason people may object to DNA testing in the courtroom is that the tests require the suspect to provide a sample of his own DNA. The only problem with this is that sometimes, suspects refuse to donate their DNA for testing. In a situation in St. Petersburg, FL, a man was being followed because he allegedly matched the description of a man who was suspected of committing fifteen robberies and two rapes. As the police followed him on his motorcycle, he stopped at a red light and s...

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...determine how powerful DNA testing could be in the future, it is obvious that it is the most accurate and conclusive form of evidence available at this time. Some believe though, that DNA tests take away the defendants rights to a speedy trial. In some cases, where testing may take months because of its complexity, this is true. But in most cases testing can be performed in a matter of weeks or even days depending on the number of tests to be performed. In any case, the future should be prepared for the ever-changing technology of DNA testing and welcome it warmly. It is helpful and has helped in many cases that would have otherwise gone unsolved. As John Adler stated in a Newsweek report, "DNA typing is a tool with vast potential, but only if it is used wisely, with an awareness of human nature---the kind you don't need an electron microscope to see" (Adler).