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Article: Panel OKs DNA fingerprints in court cases. (National Academy of Sciences, genetic identification)
- Article from:
- Science News
- Article date:
- April 25, 1992
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1992 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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As currently practiced by a handful of laboratories, the genetic identification technique known as DNA fingerprinting offers a valid and useful way to collar criminals and exonerate innocent people, a panel of scientists and legal experts state last week. However, the panel recommended stricter standards to ensure the accuracy and proper interpretation of DNA fingerprints as the technology becomes more widely used.
Courts around the world have admitted DNA fingerprinting -- more properly known as DNA typing -- as evidence in hundreds of rape and murder cases (SN: 4/23/88, p.262; 7/29/89, p.74). Forensic scientists use DNA isolated from blood, semen or hair left ...