Document Type
Paper
College
Germanna Community College
Publication Date
4-2023
Abstract
DNA Forensics, the use of DNA by law enforcement in investigations, has been the most effective tool for solving crimes in human history. Through the over 90% accuracy it provides, it has caught repeat offenders, solved cold cases sooner, and exonerated innocent individuals. However, throughout the 2010s, especially after the Maryland v. King decision in 2013 which mandated the collection of DNA from individuals arrested for felonies, privacy concerns have been raised not just for the arrestees themselves, but for the current free access law enforcement has to DNA databases. Those who support the status quo, being the idea that law enforcement should have easy access to DNA, believe the benefits cited above outweigh the concerns of the opponents. This has led to a very strong debate over the 2010s and 2020s between those who are pro-safety and those who are pro-privacy, which has impacted the effectiveness of DNA. To counterbalance that, this essay seeks to find a median between both sides so that DNA evidence may remain a powerful tool against criminals.
Recommended Citation
Malove, Garrett, "DNA Evidence: The Forensic Tool That Provides Both Accuracy and A Violation Of Privacy" (2023). Student Writing. 61.
https://commons.vccs.edu/student_writing/61
Included in
Defense and Security Studies Commons, Forensic Science and Technology Commons, Genetics and Genomics Commons
Description
*Honorable Mention*
Author: Garrett Malove
Copyright © 2023 by Garrett Malove