Bill pushes DNA testing in crimes
By Cynthia Balana
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:22:00 08/17/2008
Filed Under: Laws, Crime, Science (general)
SEN. EDGARDO ANGARA on Saturday pushed for the full use of forensic DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) technology to cut down on mistakes in the evidence in criminal proceedings and help expedite the resolution of cases.
Angara has filed Senate Bill No. 974, or the DNA Analysis Enhancement Act, which seeks to reform the criminal justice system by taking full advantage of this new genetic technology.
Under the bill, a National DNA Index System (Nadis) will be established and administered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). It will store DNA identification records of persons convicted of crimes, analyses of DNA samples recovered from crime scenes, analyses of DNA samples recovered from unidentified human remains, and analyses of DNA samples voluntarily contributed by relatives of missing persons.
Angara said that DNA technology had altered the landscape of the criminal justice system. He said DNA could be used to identify criminals with “incredible accuracy” when biological evidence exists, and can also be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons mistakenly accused or convicted of crimes.
“This is not a panacea for all of society’s ills. But it continues to place a human face on the statistical probability of error that has always existed in our criminal system,” the senator said.
Angara cited a 1992 ruling in the United States (US v Jakobetz) which pointed out that “for the most part (outside of gross human error), the actual technology of DNA typing is considered unquestionably sound and reliable by the scientific community and the courts.”
Angara also said that DNA analysis was found to have many uses in forensic investigation, among them, the identification of potential suspects whose DNA matched evidence left at crime scenes; establishment of paternity and other family relationships; identification of endangered and protected species as an aid to wildlife officials, and the matching of organ donors with recipients in transplant programs.
He said that any type of organism can be identified by examination of DNA sequences unique to that species.
To identify individuals, forensic scientists will scan 13 DNA regions that vary from person to person and use the data to create a DNA profile. A match allows DNA experts to identify an individual as a suspect or exclude him from suspicion.
“I am strongly optimistic that enhancing the generation and the use of DNA information and analyses will contribute greatly to the field of criminal investigation and, in effect, downgrade with expediency the crime rate in the country,” Angara said.
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