Legal and public policy issues in DNA forensics

Since the 1980s, when DNA markers for identifying biological samples were first developed, the use of DNA evidence to convict defendants and to exonerate the wrongfully accused and wrongfully imprisoned has greatly increased. But the increase in databanks for storing DNA information on individuals convicted of certain crimes raises important legal and ethical issues on the use, collection and storage of DNA evidence. These issues have been the subject of a recent US National Commission, which will, hopefully, broaden public discourse about the future uses of DNA forensic technology.