What role does DNA evidence play in solving crimes?
DNA is the strongest and most reliable identification evidence that exists. Jobin discusses technology advances, DNA as identification, and whether or not DNA evidence can be used for cold cases.
Solving Crimes- Forensic science, especially DNA analysis has changed how crimes are investigated. With minscule samples forensic scientists can solve or prevent crime, and exonerate the innocent.
Ballistic Fingerprinting -- When a gun is fired, ballistic fingerprints, marks on the bullet and cartridge casings, are as unique as human fingerprints always leaving identical marks. In the DC sniper shootings, police matched bullet fragments from each victim to prove the same gun was used. The sniper could have been identified after the very first victim. Law enforcement needed a national database of every gun's ballistic fingerprint, before being sold, to determine manufacturer, model, and serial number of the weapon bullets were fired from. The unique and reproducible qualities of ballistic fingerprints are critical for rapidly solving gun crime by identifying the specific weapon used. Opposition from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and gun lobby and efforts to expand ballistic fingerprinting were blocked in Congress and state legislatures. Ballistic fingerprinting technology is proven to be reliable. What is lacking are politicians with enough backbone to stand up to the gun lobby and establish a comprehensive ballistics database to help law enforcement solve more gun crimes and catch more criminals.
Solving Cold Cases -- Every law enforcement department throughout the country has unsolved cases that could be solved through recent advancements in DNA technology.
Solving Crime Problems in Residential Neighborhoods: Comprehensive Changes in Design, Management and Use
The Cold Case Concept -- Murders in major urban areas are more vicious, senseless, and random than ever before.
More on homicide
Every year, hundreds of suspicious, accidental and violent deaths never reach North Carolina's medical examiners for investigation. The reason: Doctors don't report them. There are deaths from gunshot wounds, apparent falls and head trauma. Deaths from suspected drug overdoses and burns, choking and heat stroke.
Vidocq Society -- Dedicated to dealing with long unsolved murders and other major cases. The Vidocq credo is Veritas Veritatum - The Truth of Truths. The Vidocq Society's 82 members come from 17 states and 12 countries with a broad array of forensic specialties. The Society chooses its cases carefully, working closely with local investigators and prosecutors. All work is pro bono.
Be a crime solver by exploring forensic science. Practice analyzing evidence and try solving the crime. (Suitable for children)
21st Century Complete Guide to the National Institute of Justice and the US Marshals Service of the US Justice Department: Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), DNA, Forensic, and Cold Case Investigation, Homeland Security and Terrorism (Core Federal Information Series CD-ROM) by US Government This CD-ROM provides full coverage of the National Institute of Justice; US Marshals Service; Crime Scene Investigation (CSI); DNA Testing and Research; Forensic and Cold Case Investigation; Technology and Criminal Investigation; Homeland Security and Terrorism Incident Investigation, illustrated with color photography, tables, charts, and graphs. Privately-compiled collections of official public domain US government files and documents - not produced by the federal government. Over 54,000 allowing direct viewing on Windows and Apple Macintosh systems.
City Confidential - Faith And Foul Play In Salt Lake City -- Salt Lake City, Utah, is a city based on hard work and unshakeable Mormon faith. On the morning of October 15, 1985, two explosions sparked an investigation that would shake Salt Lake to its core. The next day, a third bomb went off in the car of Mark Hofmann, a respected dealer in rare documents whose specialty was uncovering missing pieces of Mormon history. Mark's specialty was forgery. And when his schemes to sell increasingly valuable fake documents started to unravel, he tried to eliminate some creditors. But the story goes into the heart of the Mormon culture and church. One of Mark's customers was the president of the church, whose primary interest was keeping unflattering documents out of enemy hands, and the trial centered more on the forgeries than the murders. The Salt Lake City bombings tore at the heart of a city where the unquestioning trust among most residents was based on their shared Mormon beliefs.
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