Inaccurate Forensic Science

In the criminal justice system, there are many issues and challenges. These issues effect all three main parts of the criminal justice system. The three main parts of the criminal justice system includes law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Inaccurate forensic science has strained all three components of the criminal justice system. When forensic evidence became admissible in court it has helped strengthen cases for prosecutors. Unfortunately, errors in forensic evidence have caused cases to tank. Other issues including evidence tampering has caused complications when using forensic science when trying to solve a case. There have been multiple instances when forensic evidence was altered including in 1989 when officers of the NYPD planted

Throughout the years of 1977 to 2002 it is said that he testified on behalf of his DNA findings for over 100 cases. From then, the case of Fred Zain has become one of the most well-known cases of forensic tampering. Salecl, (2011) states that Fred Zain worked as a state trooper in West Virginia before working in the state police crime lab as a serologist. As stated in Gianelli, (2012) a serologist is a person who studies serum and other body fluids. Although Fred Zain was not qualified to work as a serologist he became a vital asset in cases for the prosecution. Through years of testifying questions were asked about the truthfulness of Fred Zain’s work but as Gianelli, (2012) states “Fred Zain was simply too valuable a tool for getting convictions.” Zain wanted to please prosecutors by modifying DNA evidence to make it fit their demands. Fred Zain’s most notorious falsified DNA report came in 1987 at a trial for a double rape. At the time, Dale Woodall

The aspect of the criminal justice system that is affected the most is the court system. With the falsification of evidence cases suffer, and forensic experts lose their credibility. According to (London, 1994) forensic science has been responsible for many cases being won. Without forensic science courtrooms would suffer as their would be no scientific evidence to prove guilt, just merely witness accounts and occasionally video cameras. In addition to the courts, law enforcement officers also suffer. In the past there have been cases where police officers were known to taint evidence. Due to this, the saying “one bad apple spoils the bunch” proves to be true. Police officers may not be trusted with transporting evidence from a scene of a crime in fear that they may interfere with evidence before it is able to be