Technology which could protect us all
TWO rapists are off our streets today.
Shaun Harrison and Alexander Shepherd probably believed they had got away with their vile crimes – after all, they had committed them more than two decades previously.
As the years passed they will have believed they had been forgotten, that they had slipped through the fingers of justice.
But their victims will not have forgotten – and neither did the police. Scientific advances have allowed detectives to finally secure a conviction on both men and they are now where they belong – behind bars.
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The cases once again highlights the moral debate around the use of DNA evidence. The technology causes understandable concern for many about the potential for the abuse of individual civil liberties.
But these concerns must surely be weighed against the ability to catch a rapist 20 years after he struck. What about the rights of the victim to see justice being done? The argument that if you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear raises wry smiles in some quarters, but is essentially correct.
Ultimately, the people with most to fear from a well regulated police force equipped with a comprehensive DNA database would be the criminals. The ability to identify and punish offenders is reason enough to consider this possibility – but imagine the powerful deterrent it would create. This would be the real prize – a woman spared the lifelong horror of becoming a victim of a rapist.
Comments
by Vinnie_Gar
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 7:54PM
“Whilst this case seems to have been relatively straightforward we should be careful about DNA. Advances in techniques has meant that minute amounts of DNA can be analysed (I think they call it "low trace").
Those who push the "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" mantra should consider that small amounts of your DNA will be somewhere you have never been.
This leaves people accused using DNA having to prove their innocence rather than the prosecutors proving guilt.”
by BS_Hater
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 5:01PM
“@delmart
What is this article about?
I am pretty sure that given the coverage and thorough police investigation process combined with their photos being all over the paper would have reveal any other 'victims'. This is after all the primary purpose of printing such pictures.
Add to this the 'every touch leaves a trace' DNA issue it would be very hard for them to have committed further offences and not been detected once their DNA was on the database.
Only way they would get away with it is if the victim did not make a complaint or was not bothered (both highly unlikely I would think).”
by Delmart
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 9:50AM
“BS_Hater, how do you know that this pair have been freely roaming the street without re-offending?
Who knows what they maybe charged with 20 years from now!”
by BS_Hater
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 9:17AM
“Fair comment herald but lets remember the women 'murderers' jailed for shaking their babies to death. All convicted on 'advanced medical evidence', then released years later when they discovered that actually the advanced medical knowledge was wrong!!
Another point to raise is that despite the fact that this is an awful crime these two individuals have been freely roaming around in our society without re-offending for many many years. This ir reassuring as we can be almost certain that once released they will present no further threat to society.
I am willing to bet our legal high, disinhibitor and curse of our streets 'alcohol' played a large part in these events.
Well done DCC, good result.”