Forensic Data Analysis: An Examination of Common Objections Raised to the Admission of DNA Fingerprinting as Illustrated by State v. Pierce Comment 19 University of Dayton Law Review 1993-1994

19 U. Dayton L. Rev. 133 (1993-1994)
Forensic Data Analysis: An Examination of Common Objections Raised to the Admission of DNA Fingerprinting as Illustrated by State v. Pierce

handle is hein.journals/udlr19 and id is 141 raw text is: COMMENTS
FORENSIC DNA ANALYSIS: AN EXAMINATION OF
COMMON OBJECTIONS RAISED TO THE ADMISSION
OF DNA FINGERPRINTING AS ILLUSTRATED BY STATE
v. PIERCE
I. INTRODUCTION
James Watson's and Francis Crick's Nobel prize winning discov-
ery of the structure of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule was
a turning point in science.1 The discovery permitted an understanding
of cell functioning and heredity at a molecular level.' When the two
scientists published the results of their research, the general public was
probably of the opinion that this discovery was an arcane finding with
no practical applications to everyday life. In the relatively short span of
forty years, however, DNA technology has affected a great number of
lives. Scientists now-utilize DNA technology to produce pharmaceuti-
cals,3 treat diseases,4 and produce foods that have extended shelf-lives.6
DNA technology has also had an impact on the legal system.
DNA, through the technique known as DNA fingerprinting,6 has taken
1. James D. Watson & Francis H. C. Crick, Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acid: A
Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid, 171 NATURE 737 (1953) (announcing the discovery of
the DNA structure and describing the experiments Watson and Crick utilized to deduce the struc-
ture). DNA is the molecular genetic code that encodes the information which determines the
unique features of each organism. See Gary Felsenfeld, DNA, 253 Sci. AM. 58 (Oct. 1985).
2. LUBERT STRYER, BIOCHEMISTRY 116 (3rd ed. 1988).
3. FDA Licenses Recombinant DNA-Derived Clotting Factor, PR Newswire, Dec. 10, 1992,
available in LEXIS, Nexis Library, Wires File (describing how DNA technology is being utilized
to produce a drug to treat hemophilia).
4. Deborah Erickson, Genes to Order: Companies Queue Up to Realize Promise of Gene
Therapy, 266 Sci. AM. 112 (June 1992) (describing how scientists are using injections of DNA to
treat diseases such as cystic fibrosis).
5. Boyce Rensberger, Biotech Tomato Headed to Market Despite Threats: Opponents of
Genetic Engineering Warn of Boycott, WASH. POST, Jan. 12, 1993, at A3 (describing how DNA
technology can produce a tomato that is resistant to spoilage).
6. DNA fingerprinting is also known as DNA profiling, DNA analysis, and DNA typing.
Each term describes the process of comparing DNA samples obtained from one or more sources

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.

Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

What Is HeinOnline?

Purchase Access

Contact Us

Log In

NEED HELP?

CONTACT US

Get started

Subscribe to our Newsletter