Answer to Question #174884 in Law for will

Question

Read the article: Germany's Phantom Serial Killer: A DNA Blunder by Claudia Himmelerich

1. very shortly summarize what you learned? why is this so important?

Answer 1

DNA evidence is a very important tool in solving crimes and it can be life changing tool that can be used to clear innocent suspects and secure convictions. DNA and the tools used for taking and testing DNA samples, should be handled with great care. Laboratory personnel must therefore be extremely careful to avoid contaminating the DNA during identification, collection and preservation. In the Germany’s Phantom Serial Killer Case, it is clear that the cotton swabs used in DNA were contaminated. Also, it is important to consider other forms of evidence because DNA at the crime scene does not necessarily mean that it belongs to the suspect. Convictions should therefore not be based DNA evidence only.