The real blueprint to life
The Editor:
It remarkable to hear that there is a possibility that DNA testing can be done and utilised in the administration of justice in Trinidad and Tobago. DNA a molecule called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which contains the biological instructions that make each species unique.
Although the idea of DNA sounds complicated, it’s simply the genetic blueprint, or recipe, for making all living things. Almost every cell in your body contains DNA and all the information needed to make you what you are, from the way you look to which hand you write with.
From initial debate in parliament, it was stated that this bill introduced a new regime of DNA sampling and testing that was aimed at building an electronic database of DNA profiles that would be searchable and used to readily identify perpetrators of criminal offences with a high degree of certainty. The Act also requires that certain law enforcement personnel mandatorily provide samples for the database so that they may be easily excluded from the probable suspects when a crime scene is being investigated.
One of the most controversial issues related to DNA typing is the possibility of developing large collections of DNA “fingerprints” of many individuals. Such DNA databases would be valuable because it is statistically proven that most individuals who commit a crime are repeat offenders. A person who steals, assaults, rapes or murders continues along that trend until they face the full brunt of the law.
It is for these reason, all the top law enforcement agencies globally have such a system in place to search stored profiles for a match to DNA from a crime scene even when they do not have a suspect.
Once passed, many lives can be saved through higher crime detection etc.
Thank you Attorney General.
Brendon Baptiste
Via email