Science Friday > Archives > 2004 > November
> November 5,
2004:
Hour Two: DNA and Crime / Transistor Radio Anniversary
Twenty years ago, the idea that DNA fingerprinting could be a useful for solving crimes was introduced. Since that time, DNA collection has become a standard tool for law enforcement, used to both catch criminals, and free the wrongly convicted.
In this week's elections, Californians passed Proposition 69 -- a vote to widen the DNA criminal database used in that state. The measure, which passed 61.8% to 38.2%, directs the state to expand its collection of DNA samples to include all convicted felons, some convicted nonfelons, and individuals arrested for certain offenses.
Meanwhile, in New York City last week, police made their first arrest under the John Doe Indictment Project, which ties unsolved crimes to DNA profiles. The project allows prosecutors to file charges without knowing a person's identity as long as a DNA profile from evidence is available -- a measure that stops the clock on the statute of limitations on some crimes.
In this hour of Science Friday we'll look at how DNA evidence has changed crime fighting in the past 20 years. Plus, a birthday celebration, as the transistor radio turns 50. The first model, the Regency TR1, hit shelves on November 1, 1954. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern).
Guests:
Peter Neufeld
Attorney
Co-Director, The Innocence
Project
New York, New York
Barry Steinhardt
Director, Technology and Liberty Project
American Civil Liberties Union
New York, New York
***********************************
Bob Simcoe
Author, "The
Revolution in Your Pocket" (American Heritage of Invention and Technology,
Fall 2004)
Boston, Massachusetts
This segment produced by Annette Heist
Archived Audio:
DNA
listen
in RealAudio format
listen
in Windows Media format
transistor radio
listen
in RealAudio format
listen
in Windows Media format
Related Links:
NYC
announcement of the John Doe Indictment Project
The
New York Times > Police, Tracing 'John Doe' DNA, Match Suspect to Old
Sex Crime
FindLaw's
Writ - Colb: John Doe Indictments in New York
Proposition
69: DNA Samples. Collection. Database. Funding - California State Government
DNA
Profiling Interactive
The
Innocence Project
ACLU:
Testimony of Barry Steinhardt before the National Commission on the Future
of DNA Evidence
President
Bush Signs Landmark Crime Victims/DNA Legislation
Cover
Story: The Revolution in Your Pocket - Fall 2004
Regency
TR-1 Transistor Radio Facts and Figures
Regency
TR-1 Transistor Radio History
Books/Articles Discussed:
Copyright 2004 ScienceFriday Inc. All Rights Reserved.