Resolving a criminal case implies several factors, among which presenting the collected evidence in court is an essential aspect. Evidence can come in the form of testimonies, documents, expert opinions and DNA which is the short form of deoxyribonucleic acid and it indicates particularities of each individual.
The DNA is strictly connected to the genetic material of the victim or the defendant, therefore extreme cautiousness must be adopted when handling such evidence. When submitting DNA as a proof in a trial, specific protocols must be followed.
In the UK, DNA evidence can be used to resolve a crime, to identify the victim of a crime or to establish a connection between several crimes.
Matching DNA samples with a suspect
In order to be able to use DNA as evidence in a crime case in the UK, the police must identify a suspect. Once that happens, the police must link the suspect to the evidence by comparing the DNA report with the suspect’s genetic characteristics. However, most of the times DNA evidence cannot be used alone to arrest a suspect, which is why most of these cases end up in court.
What type of DNA evidence is accepted in court?
The United Kingdom has the largest DNA base in the world which keeps genetic information on more than five million individuals who have committed crimes.
An English court will accept the following type of DNA evidence:
– fingerprints;
– hair and fiber samples;
– dental records;
– blood samples;
– various types of protein and enzymes;
– bullet striation.
In order to be accepted in court, such evidence must be carefully collected, preserved and analyzed. The court will only consider DNA evidence which was not contaminated.
The collection, storage and presentation of DNA evidence
The DNA evidence must be available to all the parties involved in the trial, which means the defence also has the right to access such proof. This is why the protocols used to process it must be in accordance with the law.
As said above, the UK court will only consider uncontaminated DNA evidence which implies specific procedures related to its collection, storage and handling. First of all, all DNA evidence must be collected by investigators, stored in special recipients and tested according to specific norms. All these steps must be completed because DNA evidence can be altered quite easily and can be challenged by the defendant’s lawyer just as easy. The presentation of DNA evidence before the court must be done by experts, such as forensic medical staff or biologists. The judge can also ask for expert opinion from third parties in order to make a decision when it comes to DNA evidence, including its admission as proof. Also, in all cases DNA proof must be supported by other evidence, such as testimonies of other witnesses, including the defendant’s whose DNA evidence was found on the scene.
Until a few years ago, the prosecution was reluctant about using DNA evidence in order to prove a case, however this has changed and technology and the DNA database has made the use of such evidence easier and safer when presenting a case in the court of law. Nowadays, DNA plays an important role in solving crime cases in the UK.