Forensic DNA Analysis: An Assessment of the Emerging Legal Challenges

Manasi Desai
Symbiosis Law School, Pune, India

Volume I, Issue V, 2018

Ever since the advent of DNA Profiling, criminal investigation in forensic science has been completely revolutionised. Now, not only can the fingerprinting technique accurately identify and individualise the culprit, but also can it help determine paternity in civil disputes. But how is it that such a minute molecule such as DNA, help answer some major perplexing questions? The answer lies in the fact thatDNA is the basic building block of each and every organism, be it the smallest of viruses or an organism as complex as the human being itself. It is present in each and every cell of the body and surprisingly so, no two individuals share the same DNA sequence.

The paper begins bydiscussing the meaning and role of DNA and the process of conduction of DNA Profilingalong with a discussion ofthe different techniques applied thereto. It even delves into the historical aspects of DNA Analysis and critically evaluates this technique in light of the major qualitive and legal aspects. The paper is an argument as to how Forensic DNA Analysis has introduced several positive changes in the criminal justice administration, while on the other hand, it also discusses the emerging legal issues pertaining to the same in India and across the globe.

 

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