500 words 3 reference due 2/3/2023
What is the role of criminal justice practitioners in the development and implementation of technology in the criminal justice system? Describe some of the controversial issues criminal justice policy makers face when considering an expansion the use of DNA in criminal justice.
Technology has significantly impacted the criminal justice system, changing the way criminal justice practitioners investigate, prevent, and prosecute crime. The role of criminal justice practitioners in the development and implementation of technology in the criminal justice system is crucial. They have a responsibility to ensure that technology is used ethically, effectively, and efficiently to serve justice. This essay will describe the role of criminal justice practitioners in the development and implementation of technology in the criminal justice system and explore the controversial issues criminal justice policymakers face when considering an expansion in the use of DNA in criminal justice.
Criminal justice practitioners play a critical role in the development and implementation of technology in the criminal justice system. They are responsible for identifying and evaluating new technologies that can improve their operations and enhance public safety. Moreover, they must ensure that the technologies are used ethically, effectively, and efficiently to prevent wrongful convictions and protect civil liberties. In this regard, criminal justice practitioners must engage with technology experts, researchers, and policymakers to inform technology development and implementation. They must also provide feedback to improve technologies’ usability, reliability, and accuracy.
However, the development and implementation of technology in the criminal justice system come with several controversial issues. One of the most significant issues is the expansion of the use of DNA in criminal justice. The use of DNA in criminal justice has revolutionized the criminal justice system, enabling law enforcement officials to solve crimes with greater accuracy and speed. However, its use is also controversial, with several ethical, legal, and social concerns. These include concerns about privacy, discrimination, accuracy, and bias.
Privacy is a major concern when it comes to DNA use in criminal justice. DNA contains sensitive personal information that can be used to identify an individual’s genetic traits and predisposition to certain diseases. The use of DNA in criminal justice raises questions about who has access to individuals’ genetic information, how it is used, and how it is protected. Moreover, the use of DNA in criminal justice can lead to discrimination based on individuals’ genetic traits, such as race, ethnicity, and predisposition to certain diseases.
Accuracy and bias are other significant concerns associated with the use of DNA in criminal justice. DNA evidence is often seen as the most reliable and accurate evidence in criminal cases. However, errors can occur during sample collection, processing, and analysis, leading to wrongful convictions. Moreover, DNA databases may contain disproportionate samples from certain populations, leading to bias in the criminal justice system. For instance, if the database contains more samples from certain ethnic groups, there is a risk that the system will be biased against those groups.
In conclusion, the role of criminal justice practitioners in the development and implementation of technology in the criminal justice system is crucial. They have a responsibility to ensure that technology is used ethically, effectively, and efficiently to serve justice. The expansion of the use of DNA in criminal justice is one of the most significant issues policymakers face when considering technology’s expansion in criminal justice. The use of DNA in criminal justice has several ethical, legal, and social concerns, including privacy, discrimination, accuracy, and bias. Policymakers must address these concerns to ensure that DNA technology is used ethically, effectively, and efficiently to prevent wrongful convictions and protect civil liberties.
References:
Cole, S. A. (2017). Suspect Identities: A History of Fingerprinting and Criminal Identification. Harvard University Press.
Lynch, M. J., & Cole, S. A. (2013). The contribution of DNA technology to the identification of criminals. Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 9, 297-318.
Nuffield Council on Bioethics. (2007). The forensic use of bioinformation: ethical issues. Nuffield Council on Bioethics.
