DNA and the Identification Process of Criminals…

... DNA and the Identification Process of Criminals... DNA analysis has emerged as an extremely valuable tool for the American criminal justice system. In countless cases it has served to identify the suspect, convict the guilty, and bring some solace to the victim. In other cases it has exonerated the innocent, at times after years of unjust imprisonment. DNA's capacity to illuminate the empirical truth provides the opportunity to use it for enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and credibility of criminal justice throughout the nation. The states and the federal government need to work cooperatively to assure that this powerful investigative resource is used to its fullest extent and in accordance with strict scientific standards. DNA analysis can be very helpful in linking suspects to crime scenes when forensic evidence is identified, collected, and preserved properly for laboratory analysis. Law enforcement personnel need to be trained appropriately

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