As for this new DNA test, unless it is faster, cheaper and/or more likely to stand up in court, I don't see it as making a huge difference.
Well okay, even if it isn't faster, more reliable, more convincing, or helps to relive DNA labs of the large amount of work they have to do, it will still make a difference. If it happens to be more expensive or slower or requires more input (article doesn't say so), well then it only needs to be used on those cases the current system can't read. Maybe a better improvement can be made; a cheaper way, a faster way, whatever they can do, but at least this is technology working in a useful way with useful improvements.
If this system means just one person gets caught who could have harmed someone else thats what I'd call a difference. And victims of crime can finally get to know their persecutor has been caught, that's a difference. And to them that could be a huge difference.
That seems unlikely to happen; it seems to be more about reading "previously unintelligible DNA samples" then mending false positives. Not to mention that going into the 'solved cases' pile seems less high on their priority's then the 'cold cases' pile (Then again with prison overcrowding as it is, it could get higher on their list...)
And if it uses enough power and generates enough heat you could use it too warm your home. Offsetting heating bills against it might mean more people can afford the thing.
Slashdot Mirror
right AFTER the biggest consumer buying season of the whole year?
But this thing looks like its ad supported not pay supported.
As for this new DNA test, unless it is faster, cheaper and/or more likely to stand up in court, I don't see it as making a huge difference. Well okay, even if it isn't faster, more reliable, more convincing, or helps to relive DNA labs of the large amount of work they have to do, it will still make a difference. If it happens to be more expensive or slower or requires more input (article doesn't say so), well then it only needs to be used on those cases the current system can't read. Maybe a better improvement can be made; a cheaper way, a faster way, whatever they can do, but at least this is technology working in a useful way with useful improvements. If this system means just one person gets caught who could have harmed someone else thats what I'd call a difference. And victims of crime can finally get to know their persecutor has been caught, that's a difference. And to them that could be a huge difference.
That seems unlikely to happen; it seems to be more about reading "previously unintelligible DNA samples" then mending false positives. Not to mention that going into the 'solved cases' pile seems less high on their priority's then the 'cold cases' pile (Then again with prison overcrowding as it is, it could get higher on their list...)
And if it uses enough power and generates enough heat you could use it too warm your home. Offsetting heating bills against it might mean more people can afford the thing.