Use of DNA testing in police investigative work for increasing offender identification, arrest, conviction and case clearance

Abstract

The use of DNA testing as part of police investigative work has increased substantially since its emergence in the 1980s. The objective of this review is to synthesize the existing evidence on the effectiveness of DNA testing as part of routine police investigative practices compared to other more traditional forms of investigation. We identified five studies that clearly addressed the effectiveness of DNA testing as part of a criminal investigation to improve criminal justice system outcomes. The evidence suggests that DNA testing has value when used to investigate a broad range of crime types. There are caveats. First, the finding regarding property crime, while methodologically sound, may have limited generalizability outside the United States. Second, the evidence of the utility of DNA testing for serious violent crimes is based on studies with clear methodological weaknesses. Additional studies are needed. The objective of this review is to synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of DNA testing as part of routine police investigative practices compared to other more traditional forms of investigation.