DNA Testing Used for Crimes

DNA analysis has proven to be an effective tool in serving justice to both victims of crimes and criminals. Several types of DNA testing are used in forensics and the thought of storing people's DNA code has raised some ethical concerns for people.

Types

There are several types of tests used in DNA forensics, including restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), PCR analysis, STR analysis, mitochondrial DNA analysis, and Y-chromosome analysis.

Ethical Concerns

Many people feel that indexing and cataloging DNA for offenders is wrong due to the potential personal information that can be obtained from DNA, beyond its useful applications.

Uses

DNA testing can be used to search for potential perpetrators, rule out suspects, identify victims of crime, prove family relations, help identify poachers and detect pollutants.

Benefits

Keeping a bank of DNA for past offenders is useful because crimes are often committed by people who have committed them before. It can also help keep innocent people from being convicted of crimes.

Disadvantages

Due to its ethical implications, people tend to be wary of DNA evidence in a trial.

References

• DNA.gov
• ORNL.gov