Issues of Diversity in Criminal Justice

Phase 1 IP 1

Bias in Justice

Miguel Casiano

2/25/2013

George Ackerman

Abstract:

In this assignment I will be fully discussion DNA and its history. I will explain how today’s technology has significantly change the Criminal justice system today and we go about using DNA to exonerate the innocent and prove the guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. I have taken a long look at the case of Darryl Hunt who has been wrongfully accused and found guilty of the rape and murder of a white woman in North Carolina. DNA at that time of 1984 was not sufficient enough for the courts to go by therefore guilt was mostly proven by witness testimony which is what got this man locked up for nearly two decades. I will also be given two scenarios based on this case and using a white perpetrator and also a minority perpetrator in real time to see if anything would be different in the investigation and sentencing.

First and foremost, with today’s technology this would not be ignored as it was in 1984-1989 when Mr. Darryl Hunt was on trial his first or second time. DNA is mainly used to identify who has committed a crime such as murder or rape. DNA could be seen in hair, skin, semen, bones, and also blood. There are many things that could go wrong with DNA being tested to prove the guilt of someone such as sample mix-up, using or loading the wrong tube of DNA, DNA degradation, sample contamination, and bad data analysis. (History of DNA 2011). In the Mid 1980’s DNA labs did not have the technology that they now have today which is why a lot of innocent men went to prison until new DNA testing proved otherwise. In addition, there might have been evidence that was...