Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2012
Abstract
Within the criminal justice system, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) evidence has often been heralded as the gold standard of forensic science. In a 2009 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Chief Justice Roberts wrote that "DNA testing has an unparalleled ability both to exonerate the wrongly convicted and to identify the guilty. It has the potential to significantly improve both the criminal justice system and police investigative practices." The phrases “unparalleled ability” and “significantly improve” reflect the high standard that DNA has attained in both forensic science and the entire criminal justice system.
Forensic DNA technology has a major advantage over other forensic science fields because of its reliance on statistics and its historical development from medical science, which relies on double-blind testing, error analysis, and rigorous peer review. These factors distinguish DNA analysis from other forms of forensic analysis such as fingerprinting, ballistics, trace evidence, forensic anthropology (bones), handwriting analysis, and others. But every analytical field has its limits, and can be misappropriated. This article summarizes some of the key areas where the use of forensic DNA can be improved and includes proposed remedies.
Copyright Statement
This document was originally published in Idaho Law Review. Copyright restrictions may apply. Used by permission.
Publication Information
Visser, Rick and Hampikian, Greg. (2012). "When DNA Won't Work". Idaho Law Review, 49(1), 39-67.