Calling All Forensic DNA Enthusiasts
It’s no secret that DNA has rearranged the playing field of crimefighting. Just ask any detective, patrol officer, or sheriff’s deputy and they’ll tell you that it greatly enhances their ability to identify perpetrators of crimes. In addition to crime scene data collection of DNA evidence, DNA data across the globe is now stored in mass. For example, the Innocence Project* reports that the USA currently stores DNA information on more than 15 million offenders and INTERPOL’s international DNA database contains data on approximately 280,000 individuals across 90 countries. These storage systems link law enforcement agencies together, which increases their effectiveness in identifying criminals at home and abroad. Last, but certainly not least, DNA evidence has exonerated numerous wrongfully convicted individuals of crimes, some of which were punishable by death. Again, the Innocence Project* states that their organization alone has used DNA evidence to exonerate 203 individuals (see innocenceproject.org/exonerations-data/). This week’s article focuses on DNA evidence, but in a somewhat different angle. Check out this ARTICLE and share your thoughts.
*www.innocenceproject.org