Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Legal Blog

DNA Deception: Real? Fake? What Now?

According to CBS News, DNA evidence is no longer, or, more accurately stated, should no longer be considered, infallible evidence that should not be questioned. The reported story discusses the idea that DNA can be fabricated, better yet, manipulated to implicate one person of being the owner of the DNA while in fact that person truly is not. That is, an Israeli company recently announced that they have developed a technique of removing DNA from one person’s blood sample, and replacing it with another person’s DNA, thus eliminating any genetic evidence that the first person’s DNA was ever present to begin with.

This idea brings to light the notion of evidence being placed at crime scenes in order to indicate that a specific person was present during, and probably responsible for, a committed crime. If instances of false accusation are backed up by DNA evidence, then what hope do those accused have in defeating such damning charges? Luckily, and conveniently, the Israeli company has also developed a method for detecting tampered with DNA, disallowing the very practice that they created in the first place. It is speculated that this company, certainly looking to make a profit at all costs, has done nothing more than introduce a new method of DNA testing/determination into circulation and that widespread DNA tampering is not very likely.

The more important notion is not whether or not there are techniques available to tamper with DNA in the first place, but whether or not one source of evidence, in this case DNA, should be deemed completely accurate. In addition to lab testing and evidence collecting going wrong, thus jeopardizing a sample, one must take even greater human error into consideration, such as the concept of an unscrupulous individual intentionally manipulating evidence in the first place. In any event, regardless of whether or not DNA evidence has been submitted, evidence of all kinds should be carefully considered, and human error should certainly be taken into consideration as to how the evidence was collected, transported, stored, and ultimately tested.

If you or a loved one has recently been accused of a crime, even if DNA links you to the scene, it is important to remember that your case is not over before it begins. By retaining the services of skilled legal counsel, you not only improve your chances of being found not guilty, but of receiving more lenient sentencing as well. At McNeese & Trotsky, PLLC, our skilled Washington criminal defense attorneys will see to it that you are provided with the strongest possible defense for your case. If you are facing criminal charges, please don’t hesitate to call us today at 888-282-6977 for a free consultation.

Source Article:http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/19/crimesider/entry5253639.shtml#addcomm#addcomm