Forensic Science: How DNA Revolutionized Criminal Investigations

This case study examines the evolution and impact of DNA technology on forensic science through the analysis of two investigations. The first case involves David Vasquez, who was wrongly convicted based on flawed evidence but later exonerated by DNA testing. The second case concerns the murder of Dorothy White, where DNA evidence, though initially missing, eventually played a crucial role. The study highlights how DNA technology has advanced significantly over the past 20 years, transforming from a nascent tool with limited capacity and lengthy processing times to a sophisticated method capable of analyzing minute samples and delivering rapid results. The analysis underscores the importance of DNA evidence in modern criminal investigations and recommends that investigators leverage this technology effectively to ensure justice. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and study tools for students.

Survey of Forensic Science

Table of Contents
Investigators could have done differently....................................................................................................2
DNA has changed over the last 20 years.....................................................................................................2
Analysis of the two investigations...............................................................................................................2
Recommendation.........................................................................................................................................3
References...................................................................................................................................................4
1

Investigators could have done differently
In the first case, there was a similar crime happened with a lady named Karen Ham raped and
killed. A man named David Vasquez found guilty and was serving impressments for thirty-five
years. Even though, the physical evidence failed to the involvement of David Vasquez in this
case. Later he found innocent when the DNA technology invented and the evidence of the case
cross-examined. In the second case, Dorothy white got murdered. And there was no positive
evidence to find the killer. In the 90s, when DNA was in the headline, Dorothy's sister in low
called the investigator and requested for the DNA test. When the investigator department was
looking for all the evidence, they noticed that the Perk Kit was missing. In both of the cases, the
investigation department could have worked better (Cooper, 2008).
DNA has changed over the last 20 years
Today the DNA plays a very important role to solve any case and the technology has grown
rapidly in the last twenty years. In 1986 England has used the technology to resolve a couple of
cases and America had only one laboratory in New York who used to do a DNA test. Now there
are multiple numbers of laboratories where DNA test can be done. In Karan Ham case it can be
noticed that it took a long time to get the result of the DNA test. At that time only one gel can be
tested at a time and the sample size required to be big in size. But at the same time in the second
case, the DNA test took less than a day. And now DNA test result can be available in an hours’
time. The DNA can be matched even with a small piece of hair. In both of the cases, the biggest
challenge was to get admitted the DNA in court. Now it is has become the single most important
tool to the investigators to resolve a case when physical evidence avail.
Analysis of the two investigations
In these two investigations, it can be noticed that in the first case 1987 the DNA technology was
in its initial stage. There was only one laboratory in New York who used to do a DNA test. It
took 10 days to get the result of the test. In the second case, the DNA test result was available
within a day, and there was a data bank which contains one hundred thousand DNA profiles
(Anthony, 2012).
2

Recommendation
The investigation officers did a good job, they examined the case andconnected the dots very
well. The DNA came first time in the role to resolve a criminal case. A man, David Vasquez was
prosecuted for a case of rape and murder of a lady Karen Ham. Even though there was no
evidence to prove his involvement in this case. Here the investigators could have done better as
he found innocent after DNA test.
3

References
Anthony, F. (2012). History Channel on the Early Implementation of DNA in Forensic
Science.mp4. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGRyZa8OCbw
Cooper, C. (2008). Forensic science (8th ed.). New York, N.Y.: DK Pub.
4