The purpose of this IQP was to explore the emerging technology of DNA Fingerprinting and its impact on society, especially the judicial system and the ethics of DNA databases. Since the mid 1980's when DNA evidence first appeared in courtrooms, society has been skeptical of this new way to identify criminals, but following key landmark courtcases, and the creation of standard procedures for collecting, storing, and analyzing DNA evidence, this technology has slowly gained acceptance. Different procedures for DNA fingerprinting are described, as well as their uses and forensic applications. Various court cases involving the use of DNA forensics were studied. Lastly, the ethical concerns our society expresses toward DNA databases and genetic privacy were analyzed.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Santos, Marisa
• Bates, Lincoln John
• Sousa, Kayla Ashley

Subject

• Security
• Community

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-090408-022926

Palavra-chave

• DNA fingerprinting

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2008

Date created

• 2008-09-04

Localização

• Worcester

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright