NCJ Number
114578
Journal
Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 24 Issue: 6 Dated: (November-December 1988) Pages: 475-491
Date Published
1988
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Forensic science evidence has achieved an increasingly important position in the criminal law. One example is the use of electrophoresis to detect generic markers (i.e., blood type, proteins, and enzymes) in blood or other stains of biological origin.
Abstract
This article discusses the theory behind the scientific principles and analyzes the experience of the Illinois criminal justice system with electrophoresis. Although the majority of the cases discussed were decided in Illinois, most of the other jurisdictions that have addressed the issue have also concluded that electrophoretic testing of genetic marker evidence is reliable and admissible. After discussing the current status of Illinois law in this area, this article considers scientific advances in the field, including DNA analysis. (Author abstract)