DNA Testing in Criminal Investigations CRIMINAL INVESTI

This research examines the use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing in criminal investigations. Nucleic acids are the sole vectors of genetic information. They are polymeric molecules, of which the structural unit is a nucleotide. The nucleotide is one of two types of compounds. Each type of compound includes a nitrogen-containing base and a phosphoric acid. The first type of compound also contains a ribose sugar in ribonucleic acid (RNA), while the second type of compound contains a deoxyribose sugar in deoxyribonucleic acid--DNA.

In criminal investigation applications, DNA testing is often referred to as DNA fingerprinting ("DNA sample offer accuracy," 1990, January 1, p. B1). The preferred term among experts, however, is DNA typing (Boyd, 1990, May 13, p. B1). The terms genetic fingerprinting and genetic typing are also used.

DNA fingerprinting is a "time-consuming and complicated process" ("DNA samples offer accuracy," 1990, January 1, p. B1). It is, however, the "only foolproof method of biological identification" (p. B1). Every living cell in a human body contains DNA strings. "The pattern, length and number of the repetitive DNA is different for each individual" (p. B1).

The methods and procedures required to isolate DNA components (and, thus, make DNA fingerprinting possible) were developed in the early-1980s (Lynch, 1990, November 5, p. A4). The methods and proced

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(Leonard, 1990, August 7, p. D4). Costs in California laboratories, however, approximate $500 for a single DNA fingerprint test (Lynch, 1990, November 5, p. A4). Complicated cases requiring the testing of multiple samples can cost in the thousands of dollars (p. A4). The cost of DNA testing in at least one case has exceeded $20,000. General Applications of DNA Testing DNA testing is "revolutionizing criminal investigations," and the procedure is "being used by most major police departments" (Smith, 1990, March 12, p. C1). Thus far, however, DNA testing is performed in conjunction with "only one-tenth of 1 percent of all rapes and murders . . . " committed each year throughout the United States (Smith, p. C6). DNA testing evidence was first used in court in the United States in 1987 in a Florida case (Carter, 1990, March 19, p. B1). One question that has surfaced in conjunction with DNA fingerprinting is the reliability of the procedure (Lynch, 1990, November 5, p. A1; Miller, 1990, August 13, p. B1). As might be expected, this question has been raised most loudly by defense attorneys. Both supporters and critics of DNA fingerprinting agree that the procedure is only as good as are the technicians performing the test

Category: Government - D