The role of criminal justice practitioners in the development and implementation of technology
What is the role of criminal justice practitioners in the development and implementation of technology in the criminal justice system? Describe some of the controversial issues criminal justice policymakers face when considering an expansion in the use of DNA in criminal justice.
When considering an expansion in the use of DNA evidence in criminal justice proceedings, policymakers may encounter several controversial issues. One major issue is privacy concerns related to collecting individuals’ DNA samples without consent or due process protections such as search warrants or court orders. Another concern relates to potential accuracy issues associated with using DNA evidence including misinterpretation of results or false positives due to contamination during sample collection or storage. Additionally, there could be potential racial biases given that certain populations are disproportionately represented within DNA databases which could lead to biased outcomes should these databases be relied upon heavily by prosecutors. Finally, cost considerations also need to be weighed when deciding whether an expanded use of this type of technology is feasible for a particular jurisdiction given its limited resources