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DNA Technology as an Effective Tool in Reducing Crime

NCJ Number
220890
Journal
Forensic Magazine Volume: 4 Issue: 5 Dated: October/November 2007 Pages: 10,12,14,16,18
Author(s)
Howard Safir
Date Published
October 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses how DNA technology is an effective tool in the reduction of crime through the effective processing of forensic DNA evidence.
Abstract
In the last 10 years, Federal, State, and local law enforcement in concert with the forensic community have effectively convicted tens of thousands of criminals. DNA has been a critical tool to both increasing the number of convictions, as well as the certainty of the convictions. However, while tremendous progress has been made, the backlogs continue to grow. To help jurisdictions throughout the country most effectively and efficiently benefit from both the current reality and future potential of DNA technology further innovative changes throughout the integrated process need to be pursued while continuing to leverage the feedback loops and measurement of progress and results to objectively quantify the impact in crime reduction.