Technology is one of the major factors that has reshaped forensic sc

1. 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 Study
The Impact of DNA Exonerations on the Criminal Justice
System
Cold Cases: Resources for Agencies, Resolution for Families
(Links to an external site.)
The special report
Using DNA to Solve Cold Cases
(Links to an external site.)
The videos:
IBIS and a Cold Case
(video above)
Just Wrong: The Aftermath of Wrongful Convictions
(Links to an external site.)
Power of Forensic DNA & Technology in Cold Case
Prosecutions – Justice Journal Episode 1
(Links to an external site.)
The web pages:
Cold Case Initiative
(Links to an external site.)
Cold Case Investigations and Forensic DNA
(Links 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

2. 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.