TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i
APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................... i i
DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................. iv
LIST 0 F ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................... v
TABLE 0 F CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... vi
CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Statement of the research problem ............................................................................................ I
1.2 Objectives of this research paper I dissertation ......................................................................... 1
1.3 Significance of the study ........................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Research methodology and illustrations ................................................................................... 2
1.5 Overview of the chapters .......................................................................................................... 2
1.6 What Is DNA EVIDENCE? ...................................................................................................... 3
1.7 Is DNA evidence compelling .................................................................................................... 3
1.8 What is DNA? ........................................................................................................................... 4
1.9 A BRIEF HISTORY OF FORENSIC DNA ............................................................................. 4
1.1 0 How DNA Evidence Works .................................................................................................... 5
1.11 The development of forensic DNA evidence .......................................................................... 5
CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 The value of DNA evidence ..................................................................................................... 8
2.2 DNA evidence in unsolved and post conviction cases ............................................................. 9
vi
2.3 Sources of DNA Evidence ........................................................................................................ 9
2.4 Identifying DNA evidence ...................................................................................................... II
2.5 Possible location ..................................................................................................................... I I
2.6 DNA evidence collection ........................................................................................................ 12
2.7 DNA testing ............................................................................................................................ 13
2.8 Interpreting DNA test results .................................................................................................. 13
2.9 CODIS system ........................................................................................................................ 14
2.10 DNA evidence in courts of law in Uganda ........................................................................... 15
2.11 Reliability of DNA evidence ................................................................................................ 16
CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 17
3.1 Challenges faced by DNA evidence ....................................................................................... 17
3.2 Failure to effectively evaluate DNA evidence ........................................................................ 17
3.3 Contamination and Preservation Issues .................................................................................. 22
3.4 The cons of DNA profiling ..................................................................................................... 23
3.5 Summary of cases that highlight legal issues in the use of DNA evidence, 2003-14 ............ 25
CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................... 28
4.1 Possible solutions and recommendations ................................................................................ 28
4.2 Table 2 Summary of cases involving the application of new DNA techniques. 2003-14 .... 29
CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................................ 32
5.1 CONCLUSION OF THIS RESEARCH PAPER AND MY FINDINGS ............................... 32
5.2 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 33
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Statement of the research problem Evidence is undoubtedly a very vital and exceptionally valuable element to the Justice Law and Order Sector of Uganda as well as the court system in Uganda. There is are number of kinds of evidence used and relied upon in courts of law however my focus and area of study is DNA evidence. It's a form of evidence barely known and underutilized due to the number of challenges it faces is complicatedness and is need for experts and not ordinary law enforcement. This form of evidence is unique in its own way making it prone to all smts of uphill challenges that make its reliance and utility low if at all and this clearly sets back the justice system in various ways both noticeable and non noticeable. There is still so much to learn, polish and upgrade so as use this form of evidence that guarantees a high level of accuracy of evidence which is highly needed in a court of law to bring about convictions and exonerations. Therefore there is need for the law enforcement agencies, courts. Scientists and the general pub! ic to learn, understand and know all there is about DNA and DNA evidence so as to curb and overcome the challenges I faces and also improve the justice law and order sector and uphold true justice in Uganda. 1.2 Objectives of this research paper I dissertation. The essence of this research paper is to bring a vivid understanding of what DNA evidence is, its purposes, its validity, its utility, how its collected, how its relied upon in legal matters and comfort of justice, how it is stored and preserved and the challenges DNA evidence faces as a kind of evidence in Uganda's court and justice system today. The hope by the end of this study is to realize the true potential of such an essential and reliable type or form of evidence that can help the justice law and order sector in Uganda and all to work around all the challenges it faces
