DNA Fingerprinting
The Pros and Cons
By Eric, Lillian, And Addy
What is DNA Fingerprinting?
the analysis of DNA from samples of body tissues or fluids in order to identify individuals
Pros
by analyzing fingerprints and patterns detectives can help people find lost relatives
very useful for law enforcement, if a criminal leaves a fingerprint or DNA behind at the crime scene it will be much easier to the determine who the criminal is
can prove innocent people innocent and guilty people guilty
can reverse wrongful conviction
can give medical professionals an idea of the possible diseases a person may get
- recognized as one of the most accurate technologies in terms of determining parentage
It aids in crime scenes
Law enforcement officers can match trace amounts of DNA collected from crime scenes
- Matching crime scene evidence to old crimes or previously convicted criminals
Cons
not always 100% accurate
highly persuasive over jury
police can contaminate DNA
sometimes can be a violation of privacy
DNA can degrade over time resulting in false and inaccurate evidence
inaccurate evidence can send the innocent prison
possibility of discrimination
- some innocent men have been convicted due to DNA fingerprinting