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Introduction

Advancement in technology has facilitated the use of more efficient ways in the administration of justice and in giving a positive outcome in court cases. It has been effected by the use of computer technology, databases and policies that have changed the legal landscape in the United States. This report is going to cover the DNA databases and gun control laws. It is going to cover it in the aspect of their history, administration, purpose and how they have necessitated efficiency in the criminal justice system.

DNA Databases

DNA databases contain a collection of DNA profiles from all individuals who have ever been convicted of crimes. They are all put in a certain software that allow access to local, state and law enforcement agencies. It enables them to compare DNA profiles electronically thereby aiding in the solving of crimes. Since every person has a unique DNA, this too has been found useful in connecting criminals to crimes. The new technology was brought into the effect on 1995 and passed legislation in the year 1997. This allowed for DNA tests to be carried out for all prisoners for consequent storage. Moreover, a national DNA database was created in the year 1998 (Green, 2014).

Notably, DNA can be collected from any sample of a person such as the hair or blood. Such examples give criminal investigators an easy time when doing the criminal investigation as they will be able to compare the crime scenes with the DNA sample. It came up with the idea that criminals tend to repeat criminal activities, and they are likely to be associated with crimes. As such it gives them a focus when doing investigations of crimes (Green, 2014). Apart of having DNA samples of criminals, the database additionally has samples of DNA from missing persons or suspects in criminal cases. In court cases, DNA samples can be used as a form of evidence to incriminate a person over a crime committed.

Gun Control Laws

Gun control laws is a policy that was enacted to control the purchase and possession of firearms. It similarly includes the classification of guns civilians can own. Markedly, so many crimes are from gun usage by people which has led to various murders. It minimizes the availability of drugs to the public and criminals. The gun control law varies in every country. Incidences of suicide, murder and homicide. The gun control legislation in the United States is enacted in the whereby the law began by giving people the right to possess and purchase arms. It was aimed at providing individuals with the ability to defend themselves from all threats. Afterwards, the Supreme Court held a ban on the possession of sawed-off shotguns. The Gun Control Act was later on passed in the year 1968 after a firearm was used in the assassination of President J.F Kennedy.

The Firearm Owner Protection Act is later on passes. It prohibits the manufacture of bullets that can penetrate bullet-proof vests. Apparently, the law enforcers make use of bullet proof vests on dangerous missions. The presence of weapons that can penetrate the clothes is a great danger to the operations of the law force. On the other hand, most of the street gangs are observed to commit a lot of violence and murders with the use of guns. In 2008, the Supreme Court passed upholds the possession of weapons as they can be used for self-defense. It rejects the ban on the possession of firearms as being unconstitutional. As such citizens in the United States are constitutionally protected to the handling and possession of guns. It is found in the Second Amendment. One important aspect of the gun control law is the fact that all manufacturers of guns are required to register and license to manufacturers of guns. Moreover, all individuals purchasing the guns must register it under their names. Such an act enables the criminal investigators to be able to track the owners easily of guns that have been used in crime scenes. This excludes the manufacturers from being categorized as suspects therefore protecting them. As such, it is vital to note that the policy of gun control laws gives a standard category of guns that the citizens can handle. Powerful guns are not allowed on the citizens. It is seen by the harm they can cause (Kalesan, Mobily, Keiser, Fagan & Galea, 2015).

In conclusion, it is worthy to note that there has been some development in the handling of court cases and the criminal investigations. It has been brought about by the use of computer technology, criminal justice database and the enactment of policies. Seemingly, the use DNA databases have enabled the electronic storage of DNA samples from all criminals, suspects, and from unidentified DNA that has been collected from crime scenes. This form of technology has enabled the criminal investigators to be able to track easily down criminals and compare all DNA found in crime scenes to those existing in the database. On the other hand, the policy of gun control has enabled the monitoring of the type of guns that citizens can purchase and buy. It has allowed the control of the type of guns that is exposed to the public.

References

Green, M. (2014). With Liberty and Justice for All: The Costs and Benefits of DNA Databases.

Kalesan, B., Mobily, M. E., Keiser, O., Fagan, J., & Galea, S. (2015). The impact of Firearm Legislature on Firearm Mortality in the United States. Columbia Public Law Research Paper, (14-467).