NCJ Number
139990
Date Published
1992
Length
39 pages
Annotation
DNA fingerprinting is discussed with respect to its technical aspects, the statistical basis for interpretation, the use of DNA databases, forensic applications, and ethical and economic considerations.
Abstract
The analysis concludes that DNA fingerprinting has great potential benefits for civil and criminal justice. Its use should continue while various improvements and changes are made. The accreditation and proficiency testing of DNA typing laboratories are essential to the scientific accuracy, reliability, and acceptability of DNA evidence in the future. Therefore, laboratories involved in forensic DNA typing should move quickly to establish quality assurance programs. Subsequently, courts should view quality control as necessary for general acceptance. DNA profile databanks should contain information only on felons convicted of particular violent crimes such as rape and on unidentified persons whose biological samples were found at crime scenes. Databanks should be accessible only to legally authorized persons and should not contain information on members of the general population. For the full report, see NCJ-138009.