Forensic Evidence in Criminal Trials
Name
Institution
Forensic Evidence in Criminal Trials
Use of forensic evidence in criminal trials has gained prominence in recent times. It, however, dates back to several years ago, when the services of forensic pundits were sought in determining the origin of death. The only difference between then and now is that forensic experts currently use highly advanced and sophisticated technology to unearth scientific evidence. This rapid expansion has made forensic evidence to draw the attention of the mainstream media. Much of the debate about forensic evidence has touted DNA fingerprinting as undoing or thwarting the miscarriages of fairness to those undermining the ability of a lay jury to render a verdict in a case involving intricate medical or technical evidence. The debate aside, this discussion will present the significance of forensic evidence in criminal trials. Additionally, the future of forensic science in criminal law will be looked at, paying close attention to what advances in science and technology may afford. Moreover, it will be argued whether there are adequate constitutional safeguards to maintain people’s privacy as the means for data collection, physical evidence, and visual and eavesdropping capabilities. Finally, the greatest assets and liabilities of forensic evidence in the 21st Century will be presented.
Justice demands that impartiality and fairness be observed in rendering any verdict where inconsistent viewpoints are presented. When laws are infringed or challenged and call for interpretation, meticulous investigation and research is indispensable in the quest for justice. When a criminal activity has occurred, proof of the activity should be traced and gathered to identify the perpetrators. The arrival of microscope technology resulted in the ability to distinguish human fingerprints. This technology was as fascinating as the arrival of forensic use of DNA technology...