Skip to main content skip navigation
  • Account
    • Login
    • Manage
  • Subscribe
    • JUSTINFO
    • Register
  • Shopping Cart
  • Contact Us
    • Email
    • Feedback
    • Chat
    • Phone or Mail
  • Site Help
National Criminal Justice Reference Service
Office of Justice Programs header with links to bureaus/offices: BJA, BJS, NIJ, OJJDP, OVC, SMART Office of Justice Programs BJA BJS NIJ OJJDP OVC SMART Office of Justice Programs
Advanced Search  Search Help
    Browse By Topics  down arrow
  • A–Z Topics
  • Corrections
  • Courts
  • Crime
  • Crime Prevention
  • Drugs
  • Justice System
  • Juvenile Justice
  • Law Enforcement
  • Victims
CrimeSolutions
Add your conference to our Justice Events calendar
  • ABOUT NCJRS
  • OJP PUBLICATIONS
  • LIBRARY
  • SEARCH Q & A
  • GRANTS & FUNDING
  • JUSTICE EVENTS
Home / Publications / NCJRS Abstract

PUBLICATIONS

Register for Latest Research

Stay Informed
Register with NCJRS to receive NCJRS's biweekly e-newsletter JUSTINFO and additional periodic emails from NCJRS and the NCJRS federal sponsors that highlight the latest research published or sponsored by the Office of Justice Programs.

NCJRS Abstract

The document referenced below is part of the NCJRS Virtual Library collection. To conduct further searches of the collection, visit the Virtual Library. See the Obtain Documents page for direction on how to access resources online, via mail, through interlibrary loans, or in a local library.

1 record(s) found

 

NCJ Number: 185690 Find in a Library
Title: Understanding DNA Evidence: A Guide for Victim Service Providers
Document: HTML|PDF|TEXT
Author(s): Kathryn M. Turman
Date Published: April 2001
Annotation: This bulletin offers victim service providers an understanding of how DNA testing may be used in victims’ cases, the process and procedures used and the potential outcomes from the test.
Abstract: DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the fundamental building block for an individual’s entire genetic makeup, our hereditary blueprint. DNA is a powerful investigative tool. DNA evidence collected from a crime scene can link a suspect to a crime or eliminate one from suspicion. It is important that every victim service provider be aware of important issues involved in the identification, collection, transportation, and storage of DNA evidence to prevent contamination. The bulletin continues with information provided on DNA processes and procedures including contamination issues, DNA testing analysis, interpreting results of DNA analysis, analysis of DNA evidence in closed and unsolved cases, using the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) to identify and link serial crimes, showing the power of DNA evidence through three case studies, and postconviction events and DNA testing. Forensic DNA plays a significantly important role in solving sexual assault and homicide cases. DNA evidence is a crucial tool in effective police work. DNA evidence exonerates the innocent and alerts law enforcement to pursue the actual offender. Although DNA is a powerful tool, it is useless if not properly collected, preserved, and tested. Members of the criminal justice community must be trained to identify DNA evidence, understand its significance, and counsel victims on how valuable it is in apprehending and convicting offenders. Glossary and References
Main Term(s): DNA fingerprinting
Index Term(s): Evidence collection; Evidence identification; Evidence preservation; Forensic sciences; Scientific testimony; Victim services; Victim services training
Sponsoring Agency: NCJRS Photocopy Services
Rockville, MD 20849-6000
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
Washington, DC 20531
OVC Resource Ctr
Rockville, MD 20849-6000
Corporate Author: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
US Dept of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
United States of America
Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849-6000
United States of America

OVC Resource Ctr
P.O. Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849-6000
United States of America
Page Count: 12
Series: OVC Others
Format: Document
Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
Language: English
Country: United States of America
Note: OVC Bulletin
To cite this abstract, use the following link:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=185690

*A link to the full-text document is provided whenever possible. For documents not available online, a link to the publisher's website is provided. Tell us how you use the NCJRS Library and Abstracts Database - send us your feedback.




Find in a Library

You have clicked Find in a Library. A title search of WorldCat, the world's largest library network, will start when you click "Continue." Here you will be able to learn if libraries in your community have the document you need. The results will open in a new browser and your NCJRS session will remain active for 30 minutes. Learn More.

You have selected:

This article appears in

In WorldCat, verify that the library you select has the specific journal volume and issue in which the article appears. Learn How.

Continue to WorldCat

You are about to access WorldCat, NCJRS takes no responsibility for and exercises no control over the WorldCat site.

 
Office of Justice Programs Facebook Page  Twitter Page
  • Bureau of Justice Assistance Facebook Page Twitter Page
  • Bureau of Justice Statistics Twitter Page
  • National Institute of Justice Facebook Page Twitter Page
  • Office for Victims of Crime Facebook Page Twitter Page
  • Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Facebook Page Twitter Page
  • Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking Facebook Page Twitter Page
Contact Us | Feedback | Site Map
Freedom of Information Act | Privacy Statement | Legal Policies and Disclaimers
USA.gov | CrimeSolutions
Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs