DNA and the Duke LaCrosse Team

Even among the media, there has been widespread surprise that the D.A. in the area of North Carolina where the supposed acts of sexual violence took place, allegedly by white members of the Duke LaCross team, against an "exotic dancer" is choosing to pursue charges despite the failure of DNA to tie these men to the event.

Unfortunately, I think this speaks volumes about the lack of understanding people have about DNA and scientific crime scene analysis in general. It is NOT unusual to fail to have DNA evidence, despite what CSI tells you. Also, the kind of DNA analysis done in a very short period of time is not the kind of exhaustive testing that can be done over a period of sometimes months. DNA is only recovered in a portion of crimes; the same is true with fingerprints and other forms of evidence. Crime shows make it so fancy and certain, but it just often is not. Also, DNA analysis is still relatively new; there is so much we still do not know about it.

I am glad to see some of the members of the community beginning to rally around the supposed victim, reminding the public this woman was not just an exotic dancer but a college co-ed, a mother of two small children trying to support those kids the best way she could. I don't know if events played out as she said or if the Duke LaCrosse team - all or in part - is guilty. But I do know that even a prostitute can be raped and sodomized against his or her will and this is violence whenever a person says No and is still acted upon anyway.