The Impacts of DNA Evidence in the Courtroom

While there are numerous aspects of evidence one could present to a court of law, forensic evidence has become the highest level of certainty with the ability to confidently determine who was present at a specific location through DNA. In my thesis, I take into consideration the ways forensic evidence is used surrounding and leading up to the conviction of a crime as well as the ability DNA evidence has to exonerate those who were wrongfully accused. Evidence that does not contain DNA is also important to consider but has weaknesses. My thesis also touches upon specific types of DNA evidence: blood, hair, and skin cells and the process these samples go through to be collected, tested, and eventually presented before a jury. I have conducted interviews with defense attorneys, prosecutors, as well as forensic experts to understand how the presence of forensic evidence impacts their own arguments with real world case studies to support. Ultimately, DNA technology and the entire forensic science field will continue to advance in the future. DNA as a form of forensic evidence has numerous advantages over traditional methods of legal evidence however, as we do continue along our technologically advancing society, it is imperative to recognize its limits.