Genetic Witness: Science, Law, and Controversy in the Making of DNA Profiling [Paperback]

Jay D. Aronson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 11, 2007

When DNA profiling was first introduced into the American legal system in 1987, it was heralded as a technology that would revolutionize law enforcement. As an investigative tool, it has lived up to much of this hype--it is regularly used to track down unknown criminals, put murderers and rapists behind bars, and exonerate the innocent.

Yet, this promise took ten turbulent years to be fulfilled. In Genetic Witness, Jay D. Aronson uncovers the dramatic early history of DNA profiling that has been obscured by the technique's recent success. He demonstrates that robust quality control and quality assurance measures were initially nonexistent, interpretation of test results was based more on assumption than empirical evidence, and the technique was susceptible to error at every stage. Most of these issues came to light only through defense challenges to what prosecutors claimed to be an infallible technology. Although this process was fraught with controversy, inefficiency, and personal antagonism, the quality of DNA evidence improved dramatically as a result. Aronson argues, however, that the dream of a perfect identification technology remains unrealized.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thorough and detailed, Aronson's work will be the definitive treatment of the recent history of DNA typing." -- Simon Cole, author of Suspect Identities: A History of Fingerprinting and Criminal Identification

About the Author

Jay D. Aronson is an assistant professor of history at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press (October 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813541883
• ISBN-13: 978-0813541884
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #788,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Movements & Periods > Postmodernism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genetic Witness - Reviewed, February 20, 2008

By 

John R. Carpenter (San Diego County, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Genetic Witness: Science, Law, and Controversy in the Making of DNA Profiling (Paperback)

"Genetic Witness" by Jay D. Aronson is the history of the introduction, implementation, fortes and foibles of using DNA in Criminal cases on the National level in America.

The book, "Justice and Science" by George "Woody" Clarke does the same thing from the view point of local and state levels based in criminal cases in San Diego, CA.

"Genetic Witnesses" does an excellent job in documenting the historic challenge of standardizing DNA markers to be an outstanding tool in the criminal justice system.

This book covers most areas of concern regarding the use of DNA on the National level without getting bogged down in ad nausea or being difficult to read. The author takes the time to explain when needed and provides copious notes and a detailed index.

One of the things that I really like about this book is the warning regarding the human factor in technology. We often push people to get the job done in the quickest and most cost effective manner. Management always acts in horror when their stress in this area pushes people to cheat to get results. "Give the boss what he wants" attitude regardless of the errors or contrary evidence, unrealistic deadlines and job loads, outdated equipment, poor training and underfunding all contribute to an impact on DNA errors and documentation.

Not only the public has been impacted by the "CSI effect", J. D. Aronson extends, without specifically mentioning, this to the Judges, District Attorneys, Investigators and Lab Managers that the human factor will contribute unrealistic expectations and error rates from DNA evidence. The efforts to limit this are the next challenge in the DNA saga.

"Genetic Witness" is a historic book that is excellent at documenting the early rise of DNA, the challenges, acceptance and warning to the DNA use in the Criminal Courts in America.

This book is a must read for those learning about DNA, criminal justice and criminology.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone interested in DNA evidence, November 11, 2007

By 

Amy (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genetic Witness: Science, Law, and Controversy in the Making of DNA Profiling (Paperback)

Genetic Witness, covering forensic DNA science, technology and law is an extremely well researched and factual book, yet almost reads like a true crime novel. Aronson, an expert in his field, as well as an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has written this book is such a way that it appeals to a variety of audiences including: students, anyone fascinated by true crime or television shows such as CSI, or those in need of valid and reliable information about how DNA has been used in the legal system over the past 20 years. I highly recommend 'Genetic Witness' by Jay D. Aronson.

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read sociology of science book, February 20, 2009

By 

Chloe Bird (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Genetic Witness: Science, Law, and Controversy in the Making of DNA Profiling (Paperback)

This book sheds light on the social production of science and the courts. A compelling read for anyone interested in the process through which new forms of testing and the consequences of DNA test results moved from the lab to the courtroom.