QUESTION
Why Is DNA a Sound Investigative Approach in Crime Investigations?
0:34:07
·
112 sec
Council Member Ariola asks why using DNA, either through consent or abandonment, is considered a sound approach in investigations. An NYPD representative explains DNA's role as the "gold standard" in forensic evidence due to its capacity for unique identification, aiding in both proving and disproving involvement in crimes. The conversation emphasizes DNA's importance in felony and some misdemeanor cases, its role in wrongful conviction investigations, and the ongoing improvements in DNA testing techniques.
Joann Ariola
0:34:07
Why is DNA Legally, whether it's consent or by abandonment, why is that a sound investigative approach in a crime investigation?
Neil Fenton
0:34:21
DNA is the gold standard as far as forensic evidence.
0:34:24
So we seek to use DNA for as many cases as we can.
0:34:29
Primarily, it goes with respect to foreign felony investigations.
0:34:32
Sometimes it goes to misdemeanor cases dealing with sex related offenses.
0:34:38
DNA is establishes a unique identification that has only held.
0:34:44
We only have our own genetic code with the exception of my twin, if you would have the same genetic code.
0:34:51
What DNA does is that attributes that identification to a unique person.
0:34:58
It helps for investigation to prove somebody's identification, but more importantly, it also helps to exculpate people.
0:35:06
It has been used in wrongful con conviction investigations.
0:35:09
It is set the standard is for and help remove people who are not able to have you know, you know, who are able to excopate themselves
UNKNOWN
0:35:21
Mhmm.
Neil Fenton
0:35:22
In the situation able to provide information that, you know, they would not have been able to.
0:35:29
In the past.
0:35:30
The science is excellent.
0:35:32
We are able to test minimal, minor pieces of evidence now currently or at least the office of the chief medical examiner is able to do that.
0:35:43
You know, we continue to improve our standards and practices with that, and it continues to help enforce their investigations, both to to get find the guilty and and certainly to excopaid those who have not done anything wrong.
Joann Ariola
0:35:58
Thank you.