Technology is one of the major factors that has reshaped forensic science over the last few decades. What was once unimaginable has now become common place because of technology. Nowhere are these dramatic changes more evident than in forensic DNA analysis capabilities.

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, please review the following:

• The articles:
  • Policies and Practices in Cold Cases: An Exploratory StudyLinks to an external site.
  • The Impact of DNA Exonerations on the Criminal Justice SystemLinks to an external site.
  • Cold Cases: Resources for Agencies, Resolution for FamiliesLinks to an external site.
  • The special report Using DNA to Solve Cold CasesLinks to an external site.
• The videos:
  • IBIS and a Cold Case (video above)
  • Just Wrong: The Aftermath of Wrongful ConvictionsLinks to an external site.
  • Power of Forensic DNA & Technology in Cold Case Prosecutions – Justice Journal Episode 1Links to an external site.
• The web pages:
  • Cold Case InitiativeLinks to an external site.
  • Cold Case Investigations and Forensic DNALinks to an external site.

Significant advances in forensic science and technology have been made in just the last 50 to 75 years. The two areas most significantly affected by these advances, which have allowed investigators to reevaluate old cases with new tools, are cold case investigations (i.e., usually homicide or sexual assault) and exonerating individuals wrongfully convicted. The class will be divided into groups to explore these topics closely.

You are also strongly encouraged to review the recommended sources, which may further support this discussion forum. You will be assigned to topics by last name to complete this discussion forum.

You will be assigned as follows if your last name begins with the following letters:

• A through M: Unsolved cold cases

From the perspective of your assigned topic, evaluate modern science’s potential in reevaluating evidence from historical cases. Provide examples and specific details about what has changed and the impact it has had on the criminal justice system.

The instructor has the discretion to reassign students to an alternative category to ensure topics are all covered.

The body of your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from this week’s required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources and properly cite any references. Remember science is objective, not a matter of subjective opinions.