Posted by Karen on March 20, 1999 at 23:31:11:
I work in crime lab and work on serology and DNA cases. DNA testing is only one part of the entire picture when it comes to solving a crime. There is usually something else besides DNA to link a suspect to a particular criminal act - eyewitness, wallet left behind at the crime scene (it happens!), tire marks, fingerprints, etc. Most of the time when the case is submitted to me, a suspect is found through good old fashioned police work. The beauty of DNA testing, and all scientific testing performed by the lab, is that it is impartial by its very nature. Just because someone's DNA is left at the crime scene doesn't mean s/he committed the crime. That part is decided by the jury. All facts must be taken into account.