American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard...

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American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen

Transcript of American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard...

Page 1: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics

DNA Forensics and Civil LibertiesWorkshop # 1

Harvard UniversityKennedy School of Government

Chris Asplen

Smith Alling Lane

Page 2: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

The National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence

Genesis:

Postconviction DNA Applications

Mission:

To Maximize the Effectiveness of DNA Technology in the Criminal Justice System

Page 3: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

The National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence

Working Group Structure:

• Postconviction

• Law Enforcement Training and Education

• Laboratory Funding

• Science and Technology

• Legal Issues

Page 4: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

The National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence

Summary of Accomplishments / Failures

• Postconviction • Recommendations

• Model legislation

• Law Enforcement Training and Education

• Pamphlet

• CD Roms

Page 5: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

The National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence

Summary of Accomplishments / Failures

• Laboratory Funding • Attention to backlog issue

• Failed to adequately address Lab Capacity

• Science and Technology • Formal report

Page 6: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

The National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence

Summary of Accomplishments / Failures

• Legal Issues • Formal Advice to Attorney General

• Failed to Formalize recommendations

Page 7: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

The National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence

Impact on Policy:

• Provided a forum to highlight Issues

• Postconviction

• Laboratory backlog

• Arrestee testing

Page 8: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

The National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence

Impact on Policy:

• Provided a Mechanism to produce resources

• Funding source for publications

• Source of expertise

Page 9: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

International Experience

United Kingdom :

Goal:

“To database the entire criminal justice population”

Application:It was never a system based on convicted offenders but rather on suspects.

ALL profiles are retained (even of the exonerated)

Page 10: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

International Experience

Europe:

• Offender sample collection approaches:• Specific enumerated offenses• General classes of offenders• Length of potential sentence• Suspects• Suspects (if DNA used)• Convicted offenders• Convicted offenders (if DNA used)

Page 11: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.

Legal Framework for International Data Sharing

Only voluntary

Many Countries specifically prohibit the international exchange of DNA data

Page 13: American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics DNA Forensics and Civil Liberties Workshop # 1 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Chris Asplen.