DNA profiling is a fast paced technology that allows DNA to be sampled and connected to the identity of one person. One of the main uses for DNA profiling includes finding DNA at crime scenes and having the ability to work out the events that may have occurred (Better Health, 2015). This process includes the collection and sampling of DNA found at the scene of the crime to those who are suspected to have committed a crime.
In Australia in 2011, 60% of those held in custody have previously been in jail before (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011). Below is a table showing the rates in Australia.
(Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011)
This brings up the possibility of limiting the chance of people reoffending by creating a national …show more content…
With the provided assumption that the outcome of DNA profiling is this accurate, creating a national database would be a positive thing to the country and even internationally. If all criminals DNA was taken and one of them happened to re-offend, it would be a quick process to find out who committed the crime because the DNA is already on file. Having the DNa on file may persuade the criminals not to reoffend once being released as there is a high chance will get caught.
Another positive attribute of having a national database is that it will be an accurate process of analysing DNA at a crime scene. When done correctly, DNA profiling can be up to 99% accurate with only a few sources that error can come from (Australian Law Reform Commission, 2015). This accuracy makes sure that the chance of convicting the right person is …show more content…
At that time DNA testing was not used to convict anyone of the crime although a witness described physical features of the person who committed the crime being caucasian, mid-height, heavy set man with a beard. Over 30 years later in 2003 the cold case was dug up and DNA testing was used to analyse a sample found at the scene of the crime. A national database made a partial match to a 70 year old man named John Puckett. It was then discovered that the chance of a false positive appearing on a national database can be an alarmingly high statistic of 1 in 3. thankfully DNA has also been used to retrial some criminals and declare them innocent and wrongly
In Australia in 2011, 60% of those held in custody have previously been in jail before (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011). Below is a table showing the rates in Australia.
(Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011)
This brings up the possibility of limiting the chance of people reoffending by creating a national …show more content…
With the provided assumption that the outcome of DNA profiling is this accurate, creating a national database would be a positive thing to the country and even internationally. If all criminals DNA was taken and one of them happened to re-offend, it would be a quick process to find out who committed the crime because the DNA is already on file. Having the DNa on file may persuade the criminals not to reoffend once being released as there is a high chance will get caught.
Another positive attribute of having a national database is that it will be an accurate process of analysing DNA at a crime scene. When done correctly, DNA profiling can be up to 99% accurate with only a few sources that error can come from (Australian Law Reform Commission, 2015). This accuracy makes sure that the chance of convicting the right person is …show more content…
At that time DNA testing was not used to convict anyone of the crime although a witness described physical features of the person who committed the crime being caucasian, mid-height, heavy set man with a beard. Over 30 years later in 2003 the cold case was dug up and DNA testing was used to analyse a sample found at the scene of the crime. A national database made a partial match to a 70 year old man named John Puckett. It was then discovered that the chance of a false positive appearing on a national database can be an alarmingly high statistic of 1 in 3. thankfully DNA has also been used to retrial some criminals and declare them innocent and wrongly