DNA Profiling and Criminal Justice: A Contribution to a Changing Debate

Forensic DNA profiling is now a routine feature of the criminal justice system in Australia. Its applications in this context continue to increase. Technological advancements and the use of DNA databases have facilitated the uptake of biological evidence into criminal investigations. The development of DNA methodology has progressed through discernable phases that have been paralleled by discussion amongst the legal community. The context of development and the associated debate has changed. It now encompasses broader issues, concerned less specifically with the technology itself and more with the most appropriate means for its use. To contribute more purposefully to this debate and to achieve the most meaningful outcomes from the criminal justice system, we must first understand more holistically the role that DNA evidence plays and the impact that it is capable of. This paper reviews aspects of the forensic and legal contexts of the use of DNA technology in the Justice system. This is a prelude to future research and a justification for the need for such research.