The Effects of Forensics & DNA When it Comes Down to Capital Punishment
Capital punishment is a hotly debated issue, as the U.S. remains one of the few developed nations that continues the practice. However, no matter what one's opinion on the death penalty, DNA has undoubtedly been an important contributor to such cases. DNA and similar forensic evidence has added more evidence to the arsenal, and may be used by either the prosecution or the defense. Both opponents and supporters of the death penalty have used DNA as part of their campaigns.
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Role of DNA in the Courtroom
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DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a unique genetic marker in a person's cells. This allows a person to be identified with just the smallest bit of biological material, such as stray skin cells or a piece of hair. This means that trace evidence picked up at crime scenes can often prove whether a suspect was present or committed a crime. DNA evidence has become more reliable in recent years, as advances in science have made errors less frequent, and thus, it has become even more popular in court cases.
DNA and Exoneration
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DNA has played a major role in capital punishment cases because it has the power to prove whether a person is wrongly convicted. For example, in the last several decades, more than 200 U.S. prisoners that were sentenced to death were later shown to be innocent of the crimes they were convicted of committing. This is a significant number for a country that is among a handful of nations that are accountable for 90 percent of the world's executions. Other countries that use capital punishment include China, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Sudan.
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Reducing Capital Punishment
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DNA evidence has also reduced the number of executions in the U.S. In 1999, the U.S. executed 98 people, while seven years later, in 2006, that number had nearly halved, to 53. In 2005, only 128 people received death sentences, compared to 317 in 1996. Experts believe that DNA, which has exonerated many people on death row, is a major factor in the decline. They believe that since DNA has shown that innocent people came close to losing their lives, people are aware that mistakes are possible, and thus less likely to hand down and carry out death sentences.
Opposition
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Many opponents of the death penalty point to DNA as a reason to halt the practice in the U.S. These opponents argue that there is no way to tell how many people have been wrongfully put to death in the past, given the number of prisoners who continue to be exonerated every year. Therefore some believe that given the legal system's obvious faults, and the fact that DNA evidence is not available in every case, it is morally wrong to put someone to death when they may be innocent. Although the nation as a whole has not yet put a moratorium on the practice, DNA exonerations have played a role in individual states investigating or halting the practice all together.
Supporters
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On the other hand, supporters say that DNA evidence is a boon to capital punishment because it can show with greater conviction that the guilty parties are being executed. DNA evidence can make cases more air-tight, so there is less chance that an innocent person will be convicted and put to death. Supporters say this strengthens the practice's legitimacy.
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References
- Photo Credit dna image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
