DNA Technology Cracks 1979 Cold Case, Despite Suspect’s Cleared Polygraph
DNA Technology Unravels 1979 Cold Case, Despite Suspect’s Cleared Polygraph
In a dramatic turn of events, investigators in Riverside, California, leveraged advanced DNA technology to crack a cold case dating back to 1979. Despite the prime suspect having been previously cleared due to a passed lie detector test, new evidence has emerged linking him to the crime.
The breakthrough has not only breathed new life into the decades-old case, but also emphasized the increasing importance and reliance on DNA technology in modern crime-solving. The case throws light on the growing skepticism around the reliability of polygraph tests in judicial processes.
Relentless Investigation Leads to Breakthrough
The cold case, a gruesome murder that occurred in 1979, was reopened by the Riverside Police Department’s Cold Case Unit in 2017. Despite initial leads pointing towards the now implicated suspect, law officials were unable to conclusively tie him to the crime. The suspect had passed a polygraph test, a tool often used by investigators to gauge truthfulness, and was thus cleared of charges. 
However, advancements in DNA technology provided a lifeline to the stagnant investigation. Evidence from the crime scene, preserved for nearly four decades, was reanalyzed using the latest DNA profiling techniques. The resultant genetic profile was cross-referenced with national DNA databases, leading to a match with the previously cleared suspect.
Controversy Surrounding Polygraph Tests
Polygraph tests, or lie detector tests, have long been a subject of contention in legal and criminal justice circles. Critics argue that the tests are based on the flawed assumption that deceptive answers will produce physiological responses. While they may provide an indication of truth or deception, they are not infallible and have a well-documented false positive rate.
In this particular case, the suspect’s successful passing of a lie detector test had seemingly confirmed his innocence. However, the recent DNA evidence has thrown this result into doubt, underscoring the potential fallibility of polygraph tests.
The Increasing Role of DNA Technology in Crime-Solving
With this case, the Riverside Police Department joins a growing list of law enforcement agencies around the world turning to DNA technology to solve cold cases. Advancements in DNA technology over the past few years have opened up new possibilities for solving crimes that might have previously hit a dead end.
DNA profiling provides a unique and highly reliable identifier, much more so than traditional methods like fingerprinting. The explosion of DNA databases, both public and private, has also made it easier for investigators to find potential matches, even decades after a crime was committed.
This case serves as a powerful reminder of the potential of DNA technology to deliver justice, even in long unsolved cases. It also raises questions about the continued use of polygraph tests in criminal investigations, highlighting the need for more reliable methods of detecting deception.
