IntroductionDNA testing has been the center of attention in many criminal justice cases. Correctional centers across the United States have used the DNA testing process. Seventeen death row inmates have been exonerated through the use of these tests. Earl Washington was convicted of rape and murder in 1984. Although he confessed to the rape, he was also diagnosed with mental retardation. In October 2000, Mr. Washington underwent a DNA test and was ruled out as a rapist and murderer. The governor of Virginia pardoned Mr. Washington after he served 16 years in prison, including 14 on death row (ACLU, 2011). DNA testing has become the rule rather than the exception; but what happens to DNA after a person has been acquitted, dismissed or exonerated? Where does the DNA go to die, or else? Is the DNA destroyed or is it stored in various databases for later retrieval and use? In 2010, the United States Congress launched a campaign to encourage states to require DNA to be collected from suspects, whether they have been charged with a crime or not. In the case of S. and Marper v. United Kingdom, the retention of the applicants' fingerprints, cellular samples and DNA profiles constituted a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Does the creation of a policy in the United States requiring DNA from suspects help track down subsequent criminals or does it simply lead to a track and trace policy? Collection and Preservation of DNA Collection of DNA in an investigation is most often used to determine who the author of the investigation is. the perpetrator(s) could be involved in a crime. There has been rapid growth since its inception and legal and ethical issues have arisen. In the double-edged helix...... middle of document ...... the Council of Europe on the European Convention on Human Rights and its five protocols. This document includes the preamble and articles on human rights laws. Mercedes, C. (August 1, 2008). Sean Vincent Gillis. Cheryl Mercedes is a news anchor and reporter for WAFB TV in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. WAFB. (2007). The public defender's office is asking to be removed from the Gillis case. Retrieved from WAFB Channel 9 Nakashima, E. and Hsu, S. (April 17, 2008). US to expand DNA collection of crime suspects. From the Washington Post: Ellen Nashima is a national security reporter for the Washington Post. She focuses on issues related to intelligence, technology, and civil liberties.Silvestein,J. (April 3, 2013) The Dark Side of DNA Collection was written by Jason Silverstein, a doctoral student in anthropology at Harvard University. He currently works in research.