DNA Testing Has Changed Crime solving.
Crime solving used to be a long, backbreaking process that either led to an arrest or a huge amount of wasted time. Authorities had almost nothing to their advantage when trying to prove individuals guilt. However, that all changed 12 years ago when DNA testing and evidence was introduced into the courtrooms of America.
Now DNA has opened up many new doors for authorities. Genetic profiling is now playing an increasingly significant role in an extensive collection of investigations. DNA has helped linked President Clinton to Monica Lewinsky, connected notorious terrorists to the World Trade Center Bombing, and helped solve a huge number of murder and rape cases. DNA has also begun to rewrite history. Boston police are hoping DNA will facilitate them confirm once and for all whether Albert DeSalvo really was the notorious Boston Strangler. Convicted Atlanta child killer Wayne Williams and Jeffrey MacDonald, the former Green Beret convicted of killing his family in the "Fatal Vision" murders, also believe they will once again acquire their freedom based on DNA evidence. Over 36 people have already been released from prison after DNA has proved their innocence. .
DNA is actually a deoxyribonucleic acid, which contains chemical building blocks that vary from person to person. These distinguishing building blocks allow them to identify individuals without any uncertainty. The most recent technology can generate a genetic profile of a suspect with only the saliva left on an object/evidence or a hair of the victim/perpetrator. The FBI is currently developing a national databank of DNA profiles to its national fingerprint file.
DNA samples have helped resolve crimes that had no other investigative leads and/or evidence. During the last six months in Virginia alone, DNA has helped solve 33 rape and murder cases that previously had no suspects. But the crime-solving potential of DNA is nowhere near being maximized by the states due to limitations in employment and assets (Sealey).
