DNA Testing Labs

The main prerequisites for succeeding in court cases using the results obtained from modern DNA testing technology is to ensure the DNA testing labs follow proper procedures for testing under pristine conditions. In spite of the fact that DNA test reports have been used successfully in many of the cases, you will find that many cases failed because the opposing side were able to raise doubts about the testing process. The opposition lawyer will try to point out the inaccuracies of testing procedures; it is therefore necessary to carry out testing as per well accepted procedures, document them and submit them in the courtroom.

DNA Testing Labs Errors

In a number of criminal cases it was proven by the defense attorneys that the proper testing procedures were not followed by DNA testing labs which resulted in the complete test results being invalidated by the court. In one trial it was revealed that testing swabs with DNA on them were sent to the field where they were used for evidence gathering. In a well-known case in Britain, the evidence exhibited had the hanged man’s DNA on it but this could have arisen because these things were stored with the belongings of the man for 40 years. As a result of cases such as this many doubt the evidence of DNA testing and believe injustice is being done to many who are convicted as a result of the DNA tests.

These people believe that DNA testing might be usable in routine civil cases where there are less at stake than in a criminal trial but even in civil trials the result of the trial could be unfair to the person losing the trial as a result of errors by DNA testing labs. A major civil law use of DNA testing is by attorneys to determine the father of a child for support issues. Fortunately it is simple to collect the evidence in such cases with very little risk of contamination. In order to ensure that the test findings are accurate, it is necessary for the DNA testing labs to take samples of the kid and the professed daddy simultaneously and test immediately. The possibility of anything going wrong in these cases is practically zero if the lab adheres to proper collection and testing procedures.

Even then the opposing attorneys will try to argue that proper collection and testing procedures were not followed so the test results are not accurate. To counter this argument the lab must record the procedures followed during each phase of the process and this documentation as well as the test results must be available to the court to prove the results are accurate.

Whatever doubt can be raised against the DNA testing lab procedures gives the court opposition a weapon which they will use to their advantage to disallow the test results. While the general public may believe DNA testing always produces accurate results those in the testing and legal profession are totally conscious of the fallibility of DNA testing procedures and do not fully rely on it. If DNA evidence is to be used extensively in future it is highly essential that the standards in the testing laboratory improve to standards acceptable by court. It is essential the public understand how DNA works and the importance of proper procedures being followed in DNA testing labs.