Data Mining Is A Powerful Tool But Poses Challenges

Data Mining Is A Powerful And Tool But It Poses Challenges To The Pro

Data mining is a powerful tool that involves analyzing large sets of data to uncover hidden patterns and relationships. While it offers numerous benefits in various fields such as healthcare, marketing, and security, it also raises significant privacy concerns. This paper discusses the benefits and problems associated with DNA databases, criteria for inclusion in a national DNA database, and examines the function and utility of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

Paper For Above instruction

Benefits of DNA Databases

DNA databases have revolutionized forensic science and criminal justice by enabling swift and accurate identification of individuals involved in criminal activities. One of the primary benefits of DNA databases is their capacity to facilitate quicker investigations. Law enforcement agencies can match DNA collected from crime scenes against stored profiles, leading to faster identification of suspects or exoneration of the innocent (Butler, 2015). These databases also enhance the accuracy and reliability of criminal investigations, reducing wrongful convictions caused by mistaken eyewitness testimony or circumstantial evidence.

Furthermore, DNA databases have proven instrumental in cold case resolutions, where re-examination of evidence with DNA technology has solved longstanding crimes (Krieger et al., 2020). The use of DNA databases also extends beyond criminal justice into civil applications, such as paternity testing and identifying disaster victims, establishing their broad societal benefits (Budowle et al., 2016).

However, these benefits must be balanced against privacy concerns and ethical considerations, especially regarding who has access to such sensitive biometric data (Hogarth, 2019).

Problems Posed by DNA Databases

Despite their advantages, DNA databases pose numerous ethical and privacy challenges. Firstly, there is the risk of misuse or unauthorized access to genetic information, which could lead to discrimination based on genetic traits. For instance, employers or insurance companies might seek access to DNA data to make employment or coverage decisions, raising fears of genetic discrimination (Rothstein, 2020).

Another significant concern relates to privacy rights. DNA contains a vast amount of personal information, not only about an individual's identity but also about health predispositions and familial relationships. Inadequate safeguards could lead to breaches, exposing sensitive data (Claessens & Denecker, 2018). Moreover, the scope of who is included in the databases can be problematic; expanding beyond convicted criminals to include arrestees, suspects, or even the general public raises questions about civil liberties and presumption of innocence.

There is also the danger of database errors or contamination, which could lead to wrongful arrests or convictions. Additionally, the long-term storage of genetic data raises questions about consent and whether individuals can truly control their genetic information once entered into a database (Rothstein, 2020).

Inclusion Criteria for a National DNA Database

The question of who should be included in a national DNA database remains contentious. Some argue that only convicted felons should be included, citing fairness and proportionality. Restricting inclusion to convicted offenders allows law enforcement to focus on proven suspects, minimizing privacy intrusions into innocent individuals’ lives (Moriarty et al., 2017).

Conversely, others advocate for broader inclusion, such as arrestees or even suspects in certain investigations, arguing that this increases the efficiency of criminal investigations and crime deterrence. For example, the UK has expanded its DNA database to include fingerprints and DNA profiles from arrestees, which has reportedly increased the detection of repeat offenders (Balding, 2018). However, this expansion raises concerns about presumption of innocence and whether individuals should be penalized or stigmatized based on arrest rather than conviction.

Limited inclusion solely to convicted offenders strikes a balance between utility and privacy; it ensures that only individuals who have been legally convicted of crimes are stored in the database, aligning with principles of justice and civil liberties (Moriarty et al., 2017). Nonetheless, the decision must be guided by legal standards, societal values, and the transparency of data use policies.

The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

CODIS, managed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is a national DNA database designed to assist law enforcement agencies in linking biological evidence to individuals involved in crimes. It works by maintaining DNA profiles generated from crime scenes and linking them to convicted offenders’ DNA profiles stored within it (FBI, 2020).

How CODIS Works and Its Design:

CODIS operates as a secure, centralized system that aggregates DNA profiles from participating laboratories across the country. When biological evidence is collected, forensic laboratories generate DNA profiles based on specific genetic markers, which are then uploaded to CODIS (FBI, 2020). The system conducts automated searches to identify potential matches between evidence from different crime scenes or matches to known offenders.

Information Maintained in CODIS:

CODIS contains genetic profiles based on specific loci within an individual’s DNA. It does not store the full genetic sequence but rather a DNA “fingerprint” that is unique to each person, tailored to protect privacy. The database includes profiles from convicted felons, arrestees (where authorized), and forensic evidence collected from crime scenes (FBI, 2020).

Authorized Users and Usage:

Access to CODIS is restricted to authorized law enforcement officials and forensic laboratories. Users must be credentialed and compliant with strict privacy and security procedures. The system’s primary purpose is to compare DNA evidence against existing profiles to establish links between criminal cases, identify suspects, or exonerate wrongfully accused individuals (FBI, 2020).

Aid in Criminal Investigations:

CODIS has been crucial in solving numerous cold cases and linking serial crimes across jurisdictions, significantly enhancing investigative efficiency. It can identify unknown perpetrators who leave biological evidence, such as hair or blood, at crime scenes. It also enables law enforcement agencies to detect patterns that suggest serial behavior, improving crime prevention measures (Krauss & Burgess, 2019). Importantly, CODIS supports the principle of forensic triangulation, helping to connect evidence from multiple locations and cases, which might otherwise remain unsolved.

In conclusion, while DNA databases, especially systems like CODIS, contribute tremendously to justice by enabling effective criminal investigations, they must be managed with strict safeguards to protect individual privacy, prevent misuse, and uphold civil liberties. The ongoing debate about scope and access reflects the need for careful policy making, balancing societal safety with individual rights.

References

  • Balding, D. J. (2018). The expansion of forensic DNA databases: Ethical considerations. Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, 6, 210-213.
  • Budowle, B., et al. (2016). DNA databases in forensic science. Legal Medicine, 22, 58–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.02.001
  • Butler, J. M. (2015). Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Methodology. Elsevier Academic Press.
  • FBI. (2020). The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/codis
  • Hogarth, S. (2019). The ethics of DNA databases. Nature Reviews Genetics, 20, 325–326.
  • Krauss, S. E., & Burgess, A. W. (2019). Forensic DNA evidence: Understanding the science and its implications. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 30(3), 245–262.
  • Krieger, W. H., et al. (2020). Cold case investigations and DNA profiling. Forensic Science International: Reports, 2, 100063.
  • Moriarty, J., et al. (2017). Inclusion criteria in DNA databases: Balancing utility and privacy. Law & Human Behavior, 41(4), 377–386.
  • Rothstein, M. A. (2020). Genetic discrimination and privacy. The New England Journal of Medicine, 382(12), 1173–1174.
  • Claessens, S., & Denecker, M. (2018). Data privacy in DNA databases. Bioethics, 32(9), 575–583.

Related Assignments