Snigdha Singh Dewal, S.S. Jain Subodh Law College, Jaipur
INTRODUCTION
DNA profiling, also known as genetic fingerprinting or DNA testing, has transformed forensic science and is now a critical tool in criminal investigations worldwide. In India, where criminal justice processes have traditionally depended mainly on witness testimony and circumstantial evidence, DNA profiling represents a scientific approach to crime resolution. It provides exceptional precision in detecting criminals and exonerating the innocent. The use of DNA technology has grown crucial, particularly in light of increased concerns about crime rates, erroneous convictions, and delays in justice.
By examining distinct DNA areas, DNA fingerprinting, also known as DNA profiling, allows people to be identified. The remaining 0.1% of human DNA contains distinct sequences known as Short Tandem Repeats (STRs), which are essential for forensic investigations even though 99.9% of human DNA is similar.
The genetic material known as DNA is present in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic (bacteria) cells and the nucleus of eukaryotic (plant and animal) cells. It has a double helix structure.
It is divided into 23 pairs of chromosomes, each of which has an equal amount of inheritance from each parent. The four nucleotide sequences that make up each pair's genetic code are called Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Thymine (T), and Cytosine (C).
Nevertheless, there are a number of unique difficulties associated with incorporating DNA technology into the Indian criminal justice system, such as worries about data security, privacy, and possible exploitation of genetic data. Although DNA profiling is permitted by a number of Indian laws, a thorough legal framework for its use in criminal prosecutions is still being developed. This article examines the function of DNA profiling in Indian criminal law, the difficulties associated with it, and the suggested legislative changes that might be able to resolve these difficulties.
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