1) What are the benefits of DNA databases?

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There are also huge benefits to be gained from the considerable reduction in crime that would occur if there DNA database. After all, most crimes are committed by the same people - over and over again - and a DNA database would help to stop them in their tracks thereby saving everyone a huge amount of expense and misery.

It would also help young boys to stop turning into 'bad' criminals because they would be caught at an earlier stage in their criminal careers.

DNA evidence has become a potent crime-fighting tool, allowing a criminal to be identified by his or her own genes. Computer analysis can discover the identity of a criminal by matching DNA from blood, hair, saliva, or other bodily fluids left at a crime scene with a DNA profile in a database.

A Laboratory creates a profile of specific agreed upon genetic segment of the DNA molecule for a specific individual and stores that information in a database. DNA identification is also helpful in proving innocence.

2) What problems do DNA databases pose?

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There are many problems for an innocent person's DNA to be at crime scene that police might choose to disregard. Innocent people may be caught up in a criminal investigation when their DNA. Despite all their benefits, DNA databases remain controversial. Privacy advocates and defence lawyers believe genetic databases pose risks to the innocent if they contain data on people who are not convicted criminals.

In some instances, DNA has been collected from witness or others to eliminate them from families of suspects to determine whether suspects should continue to be pursued.

3) Who should be included in a national DNA databases? Should it be limited to convicted felons? Explain your answer.

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The bush administration and some state legislators have advocated expanding the FBI national DNA databases to include juveniles or people who have been accused of crime but not convicted.

4) Who should be able to use DNA databases?

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There may be valid reasons for an innocent person's DNA to be at a crime scene that police might choose to disregard. Innocent people may be caught up in a criminal investigation when their DNA from a single hair or spot of saliva on a drink glass appears in a public or private place where they had every right to be.