Reference no: EM133748632
Selected Issue - What is DNA Evidence and What Are the Applications in Criminal Cases. In this assignment, we will look at solving violent crimes by using online family genealogy websites like "23 and Me" or "Ancestry .com". We will look specifically at a 24-year-old cold case that identified Joseph James De Angelo as the "Golden State Killer". Put yourself in the place of a diligent and patient detective assigned to this case. This detective and others will solve this case using principals of evidence detection, crime scene unit (CSU) skills, and advanced DNA technology.
You should refer to your textbook, PowerPoint slides, coursework materials, and the Internet. Define the following terms that are covered in the textbook (specifically in chapter 10):
1) CSI Effect
2) Proxy Data
3) Locard's Principle of Exchange
4) Contamination
5) DNA Profiling
6) Explain the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) - Be comprehensive and detailed.
Then: Watch the video "How They Were Caught: The Golden State Killer" (located in the Brightspace coursework folder) and address the following questions:
1) Provide a synopsis of the video (1 full page - be detailed and comprehensive). Then answer the following:
2) What are your initial reactions about the killer being a former police officer?
3) As a result of your research can you formulate a reason as to why DeAngelo suddenly stopped committing crimes after 1986?
4) According to the video, how did detectives make the connection between the suspect's DNA and the DNA researched from online family genealogy databases?
5) Do you believe there should be privacy rights when using DNA family genealogy companies like "23andMe" or "Ancestry.com" or do you forfeit those rights to law enforcement databases like CODIS (which you defined above) when you read the waiver and submit your DNA for ancestry processing?
6) DNA processing is quite expensive. Should it only be applied to violent crimes or should it be open to property crimes? What about using DNA technology when it is possible such technology might exonerate convicted criminals?