형사증거법상 DNA증거의 해석 및 적용범위

With the development of DNA analysis techniques, DNA profiling has become regarded as the most reliable method of personal identification. As a result, in the criminal procedure, there are increasing numbers of cases of finding suspects on the basis of DNA evidence and declaring them guilty. Therefore DNA profiling and DNA evidence are extremely important in the criminal procedure. Through the discussion on the personal identification of DNA profiling and the failure possibility of DNA discriminating judgment result, this paper has looked at the normative standards for determining accuracy of DNA evidence, which are the necessity, the contents and the evidence law' status of the reliability criteria. In addition, it has examined the extent to which courts must apply the DNA evidence when they admit the defendant's guilty. As a result of that, when declaring defendants guilty on DNA evidence, a more cautious approach is required in applying DNA evidence with the following considerations. First, to improve the accuracy of DNA evidence, concrete and systematic standards for judgment on reliability are needed both legally and institutionally. Second, the admissibility of DNA evidence is determined by the authenticity of the appraiser’s appraisal. Therefore, the standards for judgment on reliability should be regarded as an area of probative force. Third, even if the DNA evidence meets the requirement for reliability, the court needs to avoid finding the defendant guilty solely on the DNA evidence. When the need for declaring the defendant guilty solely on the DNA evidence is great, it should only be allowed when the reappraisal on the current appraisal is guaranteed.