The Use of DNA in Crime Investigations Research Paper

The Use of DNA in Crime Investigations - Research Paper Example It also depends to a great extent on the far-sightedness of a person in looking at the long-term effects of the changes incorporated into the lives of people due to technological changes. There may be many negatives that can be found in the introduction of these changes. However, that does not justify a rejection of those changes without an analysis of the positive effects that they may have. The use of DNA in the analysis of crime and the investigations of this issue is one such area. In the United States of America, only twenty five states follow a system whereby the use of DNA is done in an efficient manner. This involves the collection of DNA samples right at the time of the arrest of a criminal. In the other states, collection of these samples is conducted following the conviction of a criminal, and this causes a lot of delay. These delays may result in a change in the very outcome of the cases where the said changes are made. This paper will discuss these delays and the changes that can be made in the legislative structures that govern crime investigation in the United States of America. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) has the makeup of a person encoded within it. It is a unique code that helps identify a person. It can be used to distinguish between persons. Samples of DNA can be collected from a person’s saliva, hair and other parts of that person’s body. Such information can be later used to verify the identity of the criminal and can be used for matching with the samples that are collected from him or her (â€Å"Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations†, n.d.). While these can be collected from the suspects later on during the time of the conviction, the samples that are to be collected from the crime scene need to be collected at the time of the arrest itself. If this is not done, there may be difficulties in locating the position of the body fluids in question and it may also be difficult to isolate them so that the matching of the DNA may be conducted. In the context of the legislations that currently exist, stress is laid on the use of DNA samples for the solving of crimes; however, as mentioned earlier in this paper, only twenty five states in America have a provision for the collection of DNA samples at the time of the arrest of a suspect. Various arguments have been advanced in favour of collecting the DNA samples at the time of the arrest. One of these is the quick analysis possible as a result of the quick collection of the data. This prevents many problems that would otherwise be present in the process of the investigation of the crime. To understand this fully, one needs to also understand the benefits of DNA analysis in the process. This would help one locate the areas where the problems are present. One of the major advantages of the use of DNA samples in crime investigations is the creation of databases that can be then used to track the activities of people who are known to be offenders. While allowi ng every person who has committed an offence a chance to improve their own characters and lots in life, this system ensures the safety of the society where such convicts are present. Having such a database would mean that people who have committed an offence may be caught in an easier fashion. This would also mean that people who are innocent may have a better chance to stay free and engage in activities that are useful for the society in which they live and are a part of. Statistics