DNA Fingerprinting

Since the 1930's, DNA has helped crime solvers in finding culprits that would have otherwise evaded conviction. Much like regular hand fingerprints, DNA fingerprints are exclusive to each human being, and can be used to trace a crime back to the perpetrator simply and with no doubts.

Hand fingerprinting is the general and oldest kind of clue used by police investigators to find out who was at the scene of most crimes. For this reason, during booking most criminals will have their fingerprints taken and added to their file. Fingerprinting is done in the case that any other crime is committed, their "signature" is already on file, and repeat offenders can quickly and easily be identified.

However, while this "old fashioned" kind of fingerprinting is a valuable asset to crime investigators, sometimes the criminals are smart and cover their tracks. By using gloves and not touching any surfaces, criminals can avoid leaving their identity behind at a scene. This is where DNA fingerprinting would come in handy.

DNA fingerprinting should be mandatory for felons. Why? Because it is simply a LOT more difficult for criminals to not leave any DNA fingerprints behind. While regular fingerprints can be avoided by simply wearing gloves, DNA fingerprints can be left at a crime scene in the form of a hair or tiny speck of body fluid. This DNA evidence is a lot harder to keep track of and remove by the criminal, making the chances of even the smartest felon getting caught a lot more favorable for investigators.

By making DNA fingerprinting part of the booking process for felons, crime enforcement would have one more infallible way to identify repeat offenders quicker and easier. If done like regular fingerprint databases, a DNA fingerprint database would save crucial time in investigations by keeping a felons DNA on file. This would flag them as a potential suspect when DNA evidence from the scene is ran through the DNA fingerprint database.

DNA fingerprinting should be mandatory for felons because this might discourage them from getting involved in any more criminal activity. Since DNA fingerprinting makes it much easier for law enforcement to find culprits as well as proves very difficult to keep off a scene, potential second time offenders might think more than once before committing the crime.

Yet another reason why DNA fingerprinting should be mandatory for felons is to identify badly mangled remains. A lot of felons are parts of gangs or criminal associations that may not die in a very dignified or clean matter, and their badly damaged and decayed remains may be found weeks or months later. This makes identifying the body a long and tedious process. By keeping a DNA fingerprint of these criminals on file, identifying and cross-referencing bodies may result in trends being picked up and a lot of time and effort saved.

Bottom line is that DNA fingerprinting should be incorporated into the booking process for felons. While it may cost more than regular fingerprinting, having a DNA fingerprint saves a lot of time, money and efforts when it really counts later on.

Sources:

www.accessexcellence.org/.../DNA_Fingerprinting_Basics.php