Genetic Testing in Criminal Trials in the United Kingdom

Source: Genetic Testing and the Criminal Law
Published: 2005
Author or Editor: Author
Publisher: UCL Press
ISBN Number: 978-1844720163

Ed. Chalmers, D.

"Genetic Testing and the Criminal Law" is a unique international treatment of the dynamic and established criminal investigation technique of DNA testing. Gathering together expert practitioners, judges and researchers from 12 countries, each chapter deals with the specific criminal law of the jurisdiction in its interaction with the expanding use of DNA testing in criminal investigations and trials. The chapters cover the criminal law of the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa, Canada, Italy, Finland, Argentina and Denmark, providing valuable accounts not only of the use of genetic testing in the criminal law, but also of the development of the law in these jurisdictions. No previous work has included such an extensive comparative study in this important area. Collectively, this book emphasises the need for the law to respond to scientific developments thoughtfully and with a sensitive, well-reasoned approach to current concerns relating to the reliability of DNA evidence in criminal trials and the privacy and civil liberties issues surrounding the collection of DNA samples from individuals and their storage.