The role of DNA evidence in criminal proceedings

dc.contributor.advisorGrobler, Chazanne
dc.contributor.emailu22938819@tuks.co.zaen_US
dc.contributor.postgraduateMoletsane, Rearabetsoe Keresi
dc.date.accessioned2023-02-14T10:08:46Z
dc.date.available2023-02-14T10:08:46Z
dc.date.created2023-05
dc.date.issued2022
dc.descriptionMini Dissertation (LLM (Procedural Law))--University of Pretoria, 2022.en_US
dc.description.abstractThe use of forensic evidence has been utilised in our criminal justice system for decades and has continued to develop immensely over the years. Technological advancements regarding DNA profiling techniques, such as the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and the Short Tandem Repeat analysis (STR), have made it possible for DNA testing to become more accurate. DNA evidence can be used for multiple reasons such as the identification of the perpetrator and the extent to which they were involved in the crime. This dissertation seeks to understand the role of DNA evidence in criminal proceedings as well as the admissibility requirements of DNA evidence by comparing two jurisdictions, namely, South Africa and the United States of America. DNA evidence undoubtedly plays a massive role in our criminal justice system; however, it is not a perfect system without error as several problems could arise during the collection, testing or using of DNA evidence. Although there are several legislative provisions that have been established regarding the use of DNA evidence, factors such as the contamination of samples, mislabelling of samples, improper preparation of laboratory results and inadequately qualified field workers pose a threat to the quality of DNA evidence that is produced and handed to legal representatives to use in court and build their case. These problems often lead to miscarriages of justice which negatively impede the growth of our justice system as well as the rights of the accused to a fair trial. In addition, these issues raise questions concerning the reliability of DNA evidence and whether convictions based solely on DNA evidence are justifiable.en_US
dc.description.availabilityUnrestricteden_US
dc.description.degreeLLM (Procedural Law)en_US
dc.description.departmentProcedural Lawen_US
dc.identifier.citation*en_US
dc.identifier.otherA2023en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/89483
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Pretoria
dc.rights© 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
dc.subjectUCTDen_US
dc.subjectScientific evidenceen_US
dc.subjectDNA evidenceen_US
dc.subjectDNA profilingen_US
dc.subjectAdmissibilityen_US
dc.subjectRelevanceen_US
dc.subjectChain of custodyen_US
dc.subjectFederal Rules of Evidenceen_US
dc.subjectFederal Rules of Criminal Procedureen_US
dc.subjectCriminal Procedure Acten_US
dc.subjectCriminal justice systemen_US
dc.titleThe role of DNA evidence in criminal proceedingsen_US
dc.typeMini Dissertationen_US

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Moletsane_Role_2022.pdf
Size:
663.54 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Mini Dissertation

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.75 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: