LEGAL CRITICISMS OF DNA TYPING: WHERE'S THE BEEF?

• NCJ Number: 146308
• Journal: Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Volume: 84 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1993) Pages: 175-188
• Author(s): R P Harmon
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Although DNA typing has dramatically altered the criminal legal process, DNA evidence merely provides corroborative evidence in most cases.

Abstract

Critics of DNA typing suggest that innocent people have been convicted by DNA evidence; conversely, others contend that innocent people have been convicted because DNA typing was not performed. The author considers various interpretations of legal admissibility standards in order to appreciate the impact of DNA typing on the legal process, the overreaction of the legal system to DNA typing evidence, and admissibility litigation. Several court cases involving DNA typing evidence are described that show DNA evidence merely corroborated the defendant's guilt. Attention is also paid to the trial presentation of DNA test results and to legal admissibility debate issues. 90 footnotes