The New Scientific Eyewitness

Since its first use in criminal investigations in 1987, DNA profiling has become the new gold standard for investigations and prosecutions. Politicians and law enforcement officials have presented DNA evidence as a scientific hero that is capable of solving crimes and preventing miscarriages of justice. However, in spite of this reputation, few studies have explored the impact of this technology on criminal justice practitioners, or on the process of investigating and processing criminal offences. This book provides a new analysis of the use of DNA profiling in two jurisdictions: New South Wales (NSW) in Australia and the Thames Valley in the United Kingdom (UK). It illustrates that there is a widespread acceptance of DNA profiling by criminal justice practitioners, politicians and the wider public. Furthermore, this acceptance has led to the routine use of forensic DNA profiling, which is significantly changing investigative and prosecution practices within the criminal justice system. This work is of particular importance to professionals within the criminal justice system, civil libertarians, students of criminology and anyone with an interest in forensic sciences.