Recent orders
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Running Head: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Alternative Energy
(Presented by)
(Name)
(Presented to)
(Lecturer)
(Institution)
(Topic)
(Date)
ABSTRACTAlternative energy is a key step to overcoming the global energy crisis. Non-renewable energy resources face the problem of depletion throughout. As such, there is a dire need of investigating alternative energy. This paper explores the various forms of alternative energies, their cost of adoption, and adaptability potential. The paper also looks at the public perception and contribution towards alternative energy. In addition, the paper depicts the influence of technology on alternative energy and illustrates the correlation between green building and alternative energy.
Table of Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706910” ABSTRACT PAGEREF _Toc296706910 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706911” INTRODUCTION PAGEREF _Toc296706911 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706912” Term definition PAGEREF _Toc296706912 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706913” Energy forms PAGEREF _Toc296706913 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706914” Reasons for alternative energy PAGEREF _Toc296706914 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706915” OVERVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PAGEREF _Toc296706915 h 6
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706916” Solar energy PAGEREF _Toc296706916 h 7
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706917” Wind energy PAGEREF _Toc296706917 h 8
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706918” Geothermal energy PAGEREF _Toc296706918 h 9
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706919” Hydroelectricity energy PAGEREF _Toc296706919 h 10
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706920” Tidal energy PAGEREF _Toc296706920 h 10
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706921” Biodiesel PAGEREF _Toc296706921 h 11
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706922” Biomass energy PAGEREF _Toc296706922 h 11
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706923” Hydrogen energy PAGEREF _Toc296706923 h 11
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706924” Alternative energy for oil and natural gas PAGEREF _Toc296706924 h 12
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706925” PERCEPTIONS ON ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PAGEREF _Toc296706925 h 12
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706926” Correlation between alternative energy and green building PAGEREF _Toc296706926 h 12
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706927” CONCLUSION PAGEREF _Toc296706927 h 12
HYPERLINK l “_Toc296706928” LITERATURE CITED PAGEREF _Toc296706928 h 13
INTRODUCTIONFor any society to survive in an effective manner, it needs two fundamental, natural resources. These resources are fresh water and energy. According to Black and Flared (2010), a normal human being may never survive if the body lacks water for a few days. The existence of energy in the universe takes many forms. This includes gasoline used to fuel a car, sunshine for growth of human and animal plants, and electricity that finds application as a source of power in most of the industries. As such, without energy, human beings would starve and consequently their bodies would stop functioning (Black, & Flared, 2010). Utilization of this energy costs money. There is a need of adopting effective measures that would safeguard from prevalence of an energy crisis, as a result of increment in the cost of energy.
Challenges experienced in the supply and demand of energy, in general, and considering fossil energy source, in particular, are many (Simon, 2007). These challenges include the effect of energy on the environment, and cost of energy. To overcome the challenges, there is a need of adopting alternative energy strategies. In addition, adoption of green building leads to a reduction of the energy consumption levels.
Term definitionAlternative energy depicts all kinds of energy used in place of coal, fossil fuels, and natural gas. Alternative energy incorporates renewable energy. Renewable energy refers to energy sources, which find regeneration from natural process that, occur in the universe. Alternative energy sources include solar energy, biomass energy, energy from methane gas, wind power energy, geothermal energy, and hydroelectric power energy (Simon, 2007).
Energy formsThe sun is the key source of energy. Energy from the sun finds absorption by the plants. Consumption of plants parts disseminates this energy to the human body. The plant energy may also find use directly through conversion into the form of ethanol. Living plants and tiny organisms acts as the major sources of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels include coal, natural gas, and oil, and they form part of the nonrenewable energy found in planet earth. Forms of renewable energy include solar energy, geothermal energy, and wind energy. These forms of energy have the ability of regenerating themselves in a rate equivalent to the extraction rate.
Reasons for alternative energyThe global supply of nonrenewable energy is facing circumstances of depletion of the energy source. The nonrenewable energy facing depletion includes oil, natural gas, and coal. Despite the fact that nuclear energy is available, the use of the energy is too dangerous. According to Simon (2007), it does not matter the degree of research that will aid in refilling the reserves of nonrenewable energy, shortfalls on demand and supply of energy will occur. He further claims that the consumption rate of energy exceeds the number of available reserves, or additional reserve discoveries. As such, without an alternative energy source, energy crisis will emerge in the universe. This depicts that there is a need of exploring possible alternative energy sources, to safeguard the future industrial and commercial sectors.
The existing nonrenewable energy (oil and natural gas) have a characteristic of environmental pollution. This results in altering the ecosystem and affects fauna and flora directly. In addition, the wastes from these energy sources find their way to the atmosphere where they contribute significantly to global warming. This has side effects of changing the climatic patterns of planet earth. Moreover, the wastes are effective agents of air pollution. Therefore, in order to limit these side effects of nonrenewable energy, there is a need to shift to other alternatives for energy sources.
According to Simon (2007), alternative energy is a key contributor to promotion of economic and social justice. This also includes promotion of the development of an energy independent universe. This provides a normative answer to the need of adopting alternative energy sources.
OVERVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGYAlternative energy sources have a characterization of development as the technology sector appreciates a myriad of dynamics. The changes in level of technology globally have led to discovery of these energy sources that remained undiscovered for a long period. The alternative energy sources represent future expectations of the global energy. However, most people have not yet discovered the alternative forms of energy. Nevertheless, as the technology level changes and globalization take place, people will appreciate the alternative forms of energy.
The cost of alternative energy has an element of affordability. Considering alternative energy sources such as solar and wind, the cost associated with the use of these types of energy are relatively small in comparison to cost of use of fossil fuels. This result in adoption, in the use of alternative energy sources since they are economically feasible. Consequently, the demand for alternative energy has increased globally (Simon, 2007).
Simon (2007) claim that, in many regions, in the universe, the government provides tax incentives and grants to aid producers of alternative energy sell the energy in power grid. This makes many individuals venture in alternative energy as a form of business. The result of this is extensive innovation and development of alternative energy. This has also led to the emergence of firms that concentrate on producing or manufacturing alternative sources of energy. The firms have further established a competitive environment for their individual alternative energy. However, this has benefitted the public since these firms carry out extensive advertising. Therefore, the public gets the information with regard to alternative energy.
Solar energySolar energy has source from the sun. The energy harnessing occurs via the use of solar collector cells or solar cells. The harnessing process of sunlight is quite easy and free. However, for large-scale energy plants, the harnessing of sunlight is quite difficult. The harnessing of solar energy finds application in generation of electricity in homes. With regard to cost of solar energy, the cost has proved affordability level since it involves acquirement of the solar panels and installation. Solar energy has received global acceptance as a “green future” since the energy is environmentally friendly and has no pollution effects to the environment.
The most common technologies of solar energy include solar thermal, silicon, and thin-film. These technologies produce solar panels, which appear in the market in different sizes. These sizes of the solar panels have different solar energy harnessing capacities, as well as the rate of electrical energy generation potential. Thus, individuals choose the solar panels based on the amount of electrical energy they desire to generate for their homes.
However, solar energy has inherent limitations. The material used in the manufacture of solar panels, for example, tin oxide (SnO2) has a significant effect in contamination of water and soil. Tin oxide finds application in the manufacture of solar panels in production of electron collector grids. Installation of solar energy systems that need use of concrete footings results in land clearing. This has side effects distracting the native plants and animals of their natural setting. Finally, solar collectors of most systems trap dust and any other kind of dirt, which minimizes the area of solar collectors exposed to the sun. This results into collection of a limited amount of solar energy. Consequently, cleaning of the solar collectors takes place with the use of industrial solvent cleaners or water. The products of cleaning have the side effect of destroying native streams through contamination. In addition, the soil receives a considerable amount of contamination from these products.
Wind energySimon (2007) argues that wind energy is probably as old as the discovery of the wheel during the era of the agricultural revolution. Wind energy calls for use of blades to make propellers that collect the energy in a rotary motion. Despite the fact that wind energy has vulnerability to changes in weather conditions, the alternative energy source has proved feasible globally. Some areas, such as high altitudes on the land mass and coastal offshore in the oceans, experience a steady flow of wind. Therefore, these locations depict areas that need exploitation to harness the wind energy. The harnessing process of the wind occurs through the installation of wind turbines, which receive a rotary motion from the wind in order to generate electrical energy. Wind turbines installations may take the form of small homes windmills or commercial windmills. In commercial windmill, numerous-wind turbines find installation in a central place and results, in development of a wind plant. The wind plant then generates electricity sold to the national grid of a given region, in order for the electrical energy to reach the esteemed consumers.
Although, wind energy falls in the category of alternative energy, the energy poses a potential environmental damage. This environmental comes in the form of noise and visual pollution. In noise pollution, wind energy systems impair the comfort of both human beings and animals within the area in which wind generation systems installation has taken place. The noise has side effects of leading to relocation of the native animals. Consequently, the nature cycle of new locations and abandoned locations of the animals receives a myriad of dynamics. In addition, a conflict develops between animals and human beings on location habituating. On the other hand, visual pollution affects the sight of an individual. This occurs is situations in which the wind carries with it dust, or the wind velocity is too high for the normal human eyesight to withstand.
Geothermal energyGeothermal energy makes use of earth’s internally generated heat to produce energy. In the earth mantle, there are superheated elements such as iron. The means in which the superheated heat finds a way to the earth’s surface has variability, due to variability of the structure of the earth’s crust in many geographical locations,. In some regions, the molten material of the earth’s crust finds way to locations near ground water supplies. This result in drilling of wells to extract geothermal steam or water produced as a result of contact between the molten material from the earth’s crust and the ground water supply. The geothermal products extracted find use in running high-efficiency turbines, which aid in producing electrical energy. The geothermal product after running the turbine, finds its way into a rejection aquifer, which has proximity to the location of the geothermal extraction well (Simon, 2007).
The grading of geothermal energy resources takes into consideration the size of the geothermal locality and temperature obtained from the extracted geothermal products. Simon (2007) claims that geothermal products temperatures of above 200oC represent high-grade resource, 150-200oC medium grade resource, and 100-150oC low-grade resource. However, geothermal products may exhibit high temperatures up to 700oC. Heat exchangers find application in the installed system of geothermal energy generation, due to this high-temperature generation in geothermal energy resource;. The heat exchangers make use of low-boiling temperature fluids. These fluids exist as gases in room temperature. The fluids include pentane (boiling temperature of 36.1oC) and butane (boiling temperature of -1oC). As such, altering of these process conditions in a geothermal plant results, in a tremendous effect on heat transfer and turbine operation.
Geothermal plants have potential of environmental pollution. This pollution occurs through the process of airborne emissions. The gases emitted include hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, methane, toxic sludge, and ammonia. These emissions occur in situations in which the geothermal plant makes use of open-loop system. However, the emission problem minimization occurs through adoption of a closed-loop system. In a closed-loop, the byproducts of geothermal process remain within the piping system of the plant, and there are no products, which find their way to the atmosphere or ground water. Geothermal resource plant location presents another key potential issue of concern. This occurs since the plant location may occupy public parcels of land or environmentally sensitive areas.
Hydroelectricity energyHydroelectricity energy depicts energy withdrawn from natural waters in the rivers. Water dams find an establishment in the proximity of rivers. The dams get water from the rivers, which find application in rotating high-speed turbines located in the basement of the dam. The rotating turbines then generate electrical energy sold to the grid system for distribution to consumers.
Hydroelectric energy generation has advantages of not polluting the environment, and being a clean source of energy. However, the energy has a limitation of depletion of water levels in the rivers as a result of global warming. In addition, most of industrial firms damp waste products in the rivers. This result in a reduction of water level in the rivers and affecting the quality of hydroelectric energy generated.
Tidal energyTides and waves in the ocean present an alternative form of energy that needs effective exploitation. The energy source is free and clean. Therefore, there are no possibilities of environmental pollution from the energy source. Tidal energy extraction takes place at the instance a tide flows through a turbine. The turbine rotates and consequently generates electrical energy, which finds its way to the national electrical grid system. On the other hand, wave energy capturing occurs through use equipments to trap waves. The equipment in turn, converts the waves into electrical energy. In general, oceanic energy presents an alternative source of energy that needs exploitation. Apart from tidal and wave energy, there is a need of focusing into the possibility energy generation from the oceanic water salt and ocean water temperature.
BiodieselBiodiesel acts as a replacement of petroleum-based diesel. Virgin seed oils, vegetables and animal fats, or used cooking grease act as sources of biodiesel energy. The energy has low-emission and finds application in all standard engines with no side effects of power reduction capacity. The energy source is quite cost effective.
Biomass energyBiomass energy depicts energy derived from all forms of organic biological matter. Biomass includes plant material parts or fecal wastes from animals and human beings. Production of energy from biomass provides a clean way generating energy that has no effects of environmental pollution. The method cleans the environment since what would have been waste ends up a being energy. The cost for this method of energy generation has proved affordable since the raw materials have wide availability in the universe.
Hydrogen energyHydrogen has proved to be a significant source of fuel. In this, hydrogen, fuel finds application in running cars. Hydrogen fuel has minimal environmental pollution effects and acts as an agent of establishing a “green future”. The technology involved makes use of a chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen to generate electricity. The byproduct produced from the chemical reaction is water. However, hydrogen energy has a limitation the limitation of the cost incurred in the production process of the fuel from hydrogen.
Alternative energy for oil and natural gasThe alternative sources for energy for the oil and natural gas that have exhibited a possibility of depletion include sand and shale oil, and coal bed methane. Oil sand demonstrates a type of sand in which oil extraction has a possibility. Shale oil represents the form of energy in which the shale produces oil after pressing.
PERCEPTIONS ON ALTERNATIVE ENERGYAccording to Simon (2007), the public supports venturing into alternative sources of energy since the public see all the alternative energy sources as viable means for attaining energy independence. The public knows the cost associated with alternative energy. Consequently, many people have a desire to pay for the cost in order to attain independence in the energy sector. In addition, the public evaluates the available energy, not based on the cost of energy, but on the availability and “greenness” of the energy. In general, alternative energy gains support globally with a view that is “green” and safe.
Correlation between alternative energy and green buildingGreen building depicts an area of adopting measures that lead to the establishment of environment-friendly system. Green building calls for erection of energy efficient and environmentally sound buildings. This occurs through the installation of heat insulating devices in the buildings and use of electrical appliances and structural elements, which are electrically efficient. Green building contributes effectively in the reduction of energy consumption levels.
CONCLUSIONAlternative energy depicts a measure that needs adoption in order to safeguard a region from side effects of possible energy crisis. This occurs since the nonrenewable energy sources are depleted throughout. The cost for adoption of alternative energy sources is quite high. However, the result of adoption of alternative energy is outstanding energy independence. Most people globally have proved to understand the benefits of alternative energy. Consequently, most people have proved ready to pay for the cost of alternative energy in order to attain energy independence. Green building is not a form of energy, but it acts as an effective means of reducing energy consumption rate and at the same time creating a clean environment. In general, alternative energy is a basic need in meeting the global energy demand level.
LITERATURE CITEDBlack, B, & Flarend, R. (2010). Alternative Energy. United States Of America: Greenwood
Press.
Simon, C. (2007). Alternative Energy: Political, Economic, And Social Feasibility. United
States Of America: Rowman & Littlefield.
Evidence-Based Study “DNA Field Experiment
Evidence-Based Study “DNA Field Experiment”
Author
Institution
Introduction
The capacity of any government to provide security and protection for its citizens ranks highly in the ladder of priorities. In fact, governments utilize a large amount of their resources or GDP in safeguarding the security of the country both from within and without. However, the ability of any government to eliminate crime or at least reduce the rates of crime in any locality depends on its expediency in solving past acts of crimes. The identification and solving of criminals in the country goes a long way in sending a stern message to criminal gangs, as well as reducing the rates of crimes in localities. In the past, the identification of individuals who took part in criminal activities mainly revolved around dusting for fingerprints. Of course, it is well recognized that every person has unique and distinctive fingerprints that are not similar to any other person’s fingerprints (Ratcliffe, 2003). There are three categories of fingerprints that may be used in criminal investigations including visible, plastic and latent fingerprints. Visible fingerprints are images that are left behind in crime scenes in dirt, blood or other materials, where they can be seen by naked eye. Plastic fingerprints are molded on surfaces such as clay, wet soap or mud where their impression is retained. Latent fingerprints, on the other hand, are the most common types of fingerprints. These are essentially greasy imprints that are left behind by oil in or on hands and fingertips on hard surfaces (Ratcliffe, 2003). Of course, shiny surfaces offer the best and clearest impression of latent fingerprints. However, latent fingerprints may be lifted or their visibility increased in varied materials using different techniques. In most cases, the standard powder, which is an organic compound, is used as it adheres to the fingerprints’ oil thereby enhancing the visibility of fingerprints. A piece of heavy tape would then be pressed onto the visible prints and peeled back thereby lifting the print. In case of porous surfaces, fumes from ninhydrin or iodine are used in a special chamber to lift the fingerprints’ impression to the surface (Rand & Catalano, 2006). The clear prints thus obtained are passed to fingerprint specialists who compare the fingerprint impression patterns to possible suspects. Of course, the computerization of police departments and law enforcement agencies makes it easier for the agencies to identify and apprehend criminals. However, the use of fingerprints in the identification of criminals is based on the assumption that criminals leave their fingerprints at the scenes of crime (Rand & Catalano, 2006). This is not always the case as criminals, may wear gloves thereby ensuring that no fingerprints are left in the scenes of crime. This underlined the necessity of coming up with other techniques of identifying criminals, which gave rise to the use of DNA testing and analysis.
DNA TESTING AND ANALYSIS
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) stores the human body’s genetic information or code. It is present in varied items emanating from the human body including hair, saliva and blood among other bodily fluids. An individual’s DNA, just like fingerprints, is unique to him or her and is used in the identification of the genetic characteristics of an individual (Butler, 2005). This underlines its importance or vital nature in the identification, arrest, as well as subsequent prosecution of suspects in a crime. Traditionally, DNA has primarily been used in investigating and identifying criminals involved in violent crimes. However, its use has been extended to solving property crimes involving burglaries.
The processing of DNA is usually a painstakingly lengthy and costly affair. Biological evidence is usually obtained from victims, scenes of crimes, suspects or even their belongings. In burglaries or other crimes, perpetrators leave behind varied biological materials that can be used in identifying, apprehending and prosecuting them (Butler, 2005). These include saliva, skin cells and blood. It is, therefore, imperative that biological evidence in crime scenes is carefully collected and stored, as well as submitted to the crime lab so as to ensure the analysis of the sample for use in investigations. On the same note, evidence has to be properly handled so as to avert the possibility of contamination or decomposition (Rand & Catalano, 2006). This is especially considering that the potential for analysis of biological specimen may be jeopardized by improper handling.
In the creation of DNA profiles, experts enter the biological material to computerized databases where the samples are matched against those of specific suspects. It is worth noting that DNA profiles obtained from crimes may be searched against the DNA profiles of convicted offenders. On the same note, DNA profiles pertaining to different crimes may be compared against each other so as t allow for investigation of linked cases (Rand & Catalano, 2006).
The identification of suspects is carried out using the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) system, which is a computer system that incorporates the DNA profiles that are created by state, Federal, as well as local crime labs in the US. This system incorporates three hierarchical components. At the top is the National DNA Index System (NDIS), which is under the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Other hierarchies are the State DNA Index Systems (SDIS) and the Local DNA Index System (LDIS), both of which are under the states. Enormous amounts of forensic information is held by the databases including offender profiles, information pertaining to unidentified human remains, as well as other forensic information obtained in crime scenes. These databases allow for the identification of suspects after the collected evidence is entered in the database and matched up to the information or profiles in the databases. Specific techniques for collection of evidence are used in the collection of biological evidence in burglary crime scenes including items touched, revealing the motives, examining points of entry, as well as retracing the steps of the burglars. The evidence thus collected undergoes a complicated and lengthy analysis process involving varied stages such as preliminary testing, DNA profile generation, CODIS entry, and case verification or confirmation of sample in varied databases. After this, the matched-up evidence is submitted to police departments for location and arrest of suspects, alongside other post-arrest procedures pertaining to processing f confirmation samples from the suspects.
EFFICIENCY & EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF DNA IN REDUCING BURGLARIES AND CRIME
The application of DNA testing has been considerably suppressed in most cases. This suppression has been mainly based on the notion that the use of DNA testing is cost prohibitive. In determining the efficiency and effectiveness of DNA testing in solving crimes and lowering criminal rates, it is imperative that one examines the outcomes, as well as implications pertaining to the cost of solving these crimes relative to the overall cost of DNA testing. Of course, DNA testing is recognized as considerably complicated or complex, as well as relatively costly. While this may be the case, its efficiency in solving crimes, as well as cost effectiveness is undisputed.
The effectiveness of DNA Testing was definitively proven in a research study dubbed “The DNA Field Experiment”. This study, carried out between November 2005 and July 2007 aimed at examining DNA forensics’ effectiveness in investigating property crimes. The research was carried out in five communities including California’s Orange County, Denver, Topeka, Los Angeles and Phoenix. A total of 500 crime scenes were used as sources of biological evidence. A half of every area’s cases was assigned to a control group by the project protocol, while the other cases had their biological material subjected to DNA testing. A large number of the crime scenes that were used as samples were residential burglaries, while the rest were commercial burglaries, as well as automobile thefts. This research aimed at examining not only the effectiveness of DNA testing on investigations, but also its impact on the rates of suspect identification, arrest, as well as conviction. This information was compared to cases that did not involve DNA evidence. Considering the cost and complication of DNA processing, the research aimed at investigating whether the outcomes produced by the use of DNA evidence justified the costs associated with DNA Testing.
First, the outcome of the research revealed that the use of deoxyribonucleic acid evidence resulted in an increase in the rate of identification of suspects of crime. According to Roman et al (2008), the use of DNA evidence doubled the number of suspects identified. Across the entire research area, the rate at which suspects were identified was identified at 31% (Roman et al 2008). The difference between this rate and the rate at the control is significant as the later stood at 12%. In Denver, Colorado, the use of DNA evidence allowed for the identification of 56% of cases, a significant amount considering that the control group had an 18% rate of identification. Similar results were registered in the case of Los Angeles which had 41% identification rate compared to the 22% registered in the case of control groups. Orange County, Phoenix, and Topeka registered 19% against 11%, 16% against 4% and 24% against 8%, with all differences being found as statistically significant (Roman et al 2008). The statistical significance of the differences between the percentage of identification with the use of DNA testing and those that did not use DNA underlines the effectiveness of DNA testing in enhancing the process of identification in the case of burglaries.
In addition, the use of DNA testing and analysis is seen as increasing the rate at which criminals or suspects were arrested. On the overall, the use of DNA evidence resulted in an arrest rate of 16%, which was statistically different from the 8% arrest rate registered in the control group. A total of 173 arrests were made in the cases that involved the use of DNA evidence, while the control group registered a total of 86 arrests. The percentages were statistically different across all the states examined (Roman et al 2008). Denver, Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix and Topeka registered 29% against 14%, 29% against 14%, 10% against 8%, 3% against 0%, and 6% against 2% respectively.
On the same note, the evidence-based use of DNA evidence in investigation resulted in an increase in the cases that were accepted for prosecution. Law enforcement and reduction of crime would be impossible without apprehension and prosecution of suspects. The research outcomes indicated that the use of DNA evidence resulted in 19% prosecution rate on the overall, which was statistically different from the 8% prosecution rate registered in the control group that did not use DNA evidence (Roman et al 2008). This statistical difference was registered in four of the states with Denver registering the highest difference (46% against 17%), while Topeka registered the smallest difference (7% against 2%). However, there was no difference in the percentage of prosecution for Orange County between the cases using DNA evidence and those that did not as they both registered a 9% rate of acceptance for prosecution (Roman et al 2008).
Overall, the use of DNA was seen as five times more effective in enhancing suspect identification compared to fingerprints. The research, which examined varied outcomes, noted that suspects identified using DNA evidence had a minimum of twice the number of prior felony arrests, as well as convictions as the ones identified using traditional investigations. However, the effectiveness of the DNA evidence is dependent on proper handling of biological materials, which is why it is preferable that forensic experts handle them than patrol officers.
Of prime importance was determining whether the cost involved in the use of DNA evidence is justified by the outcomes. While it is well acknowledged that DNA is extremely expensive, the end result justifies the cost. Research shows that there are varied costs that are associated with the process of collecting DNA evidence. While evaluating the cost effectiveness, Roman et al (2008), found that the use of DNA inn processing one case involved an additional $1400 in costs, as well as $4502 for additional suspects that traditional methods would not have identified and a further $14,169 for additional arrests. The costs, however, represented the additional costs pertaining to identification, arrest, as well as subsequent prosecution of burglars who would otherwise have remained uncaught. However, the training of experts and law enforcement agencies would go a long way in reducing these costs. Nevertheless, the results challenge the notion that the collection and analysis of DNA evidence is cost prohibitive. This is especially considering the increased identification, arrest and prosecution of criminals. Scholars note that the safer communities resulting from brining violent offenders to justice, alongside the increased capacity for prevention of future violent and property crimes justify the cost of using evidence-based DNA in combating crimes.
Needless to say, the incorporation of the evidence-based DNA analysis in combating burglary would enhance the safety of the country and reduce crime levels especially with regard to burglary, violent crimes, as well as property crimes. However, their capacity to effectively combat crime is pegged on the legislation and policies guiding their operations. As noted, the costs pertaining to the usage of DNA can be lowered through increased expertise. This is complemented by the fact that the handling of DNA evidence by forensic experts rather than patrol police increases the likelihood that such evidence will be useful in the identification, arrest, as well as prosecution of offenders, be they first-timers or repeat offenders (Swanson, 2002). This underlines the importance of creating, as well as implementing laws and policies that enhance its utilization and efficiency in combating varied forms of crime. This is especially considering the potential savings in the costs that come with resolving crimes that would have otherwise remained unresolved (Swanson, 2002). Such policies would allow for increased training of officers so as to enhance the effectiveness of using DNA evidence in fighting crime.
In conclusion, security is one of the most fundamental components in any country. It, in fact, makes up one of the largest expenses for countries as they try to safeguard their security both from within and without. However, enhancing safety mostly involves solving present and past crimes so as to prevent future crimes. In the past, fingerprints were used in identifying culprits of crimes. While this method was largely effective, it failed in some aspects, which led to the usage of DNA in solving crimes. While there may be disagreements as to the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of using DNA in solving crimes, research shows that the usage would result in reduced crimes and enhance safety in the neighborhoods. This is through increasing the rate at which arrests are made, as seen in the research. In addition, they increase the rate at which culprits of crimes are apprehended, as well as the rates at which their cases reach the prosecution stage. This underlines the importance of incorporating these EBPs in fighting crime. As much as they may come with additional costs in regard to fighting crime, their outcomes or advantages offset these additional costs especially with regard to increasing safety and preventing future crimes. However, it is imperative that policies are made establishing and outlining the guidelines that will enhance the effectiveness of the use of DNA in combating crime. Such policies would allow for training and expertise that would allow for proper handling of DNA evidence and increase its effectiveness in safeguarding security.
References
Butler, J. (2005). Forensic DNA Typing: Biology, Technology, and Genetics of STR Markers. Academic Press
Rand, M., & Catalano, S (2006). Criminal Victimization, 2006, Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin, Washington, DC
Ratcliffe, J. (2003). Intelligence-led policing. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, no. 248, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra.
Roman, J.K., Reid, S., Reid, J., Chalfin., A., Adams, W & Knight, C (2008). The DNA Field Experiment: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Use of DNA in the Investigation of High-Volume Crimes. Washington, DC: Justice Policy Center
Swanson, C. R., Chamelin, N. C. & Territo, L. (2002). Criminal Investigation. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Evidence-Based Research Project on Administration in Healthcare
Name:
Instructor:
Course No:
Date:
Section B: Literature Support
Evidence-Based Research Project on Administration in Healthcare
Health care management heavily relies on the management by different professionals to ensure the general leadership, management and operations of the healthcare services provided are of high quality. The management of health care requires different professional organizations; both personal membership and institutional membership groups. Both of these professional associations assist in maintaining the different departments in the health care systems such as accounting, budgeting, finance, human resources and policy analysis. To understand the importance and structure required in health management systems it is essential to analyze different literature and facts that relate to the topic.
The World Health Organization describes through their website that effective leadership and management are the key factors required to achieving quantity and quality health care services and increasing population health. Good leadership and management in health care systems is mainly about providing direction and attaining commitment from all practitioners and stakeholders, embracing change and gaining better health systems through creative, efficient and responsive movement of people and other service. The WHO website goes further to illustrate the importance of strengthening leadership and management in health care through a well designed research that focuses on different departments in the healthcare services. It carries out a research on different hospitals on areas relating to quality and quantity of health care services. The research specifically addresses the required number of managers deployed, appropriate level of competencies, functioning of management systems and required work environment expected by experts in the health care systems. Using the research sample selected which comprises of different departments in the health care services from different hospitals the WHO concludes that leadership and management of health care services should be harmonized to include all the stakeholders.
The handbook Occupational Outlook Handbook consists of a detailed article titled Medical and Health Services Managers that focuses on the medical and health services of managers. It highlights who the medical and health services are and their duties. According to the authors, medical and healthcare managers are the executives that are responsible for planning, directing, coordinating and monitoring the delivery of health and medical services. To ensure that the managers effectively carry out the above duties the article provides a detailed literature analysis through proper research on the medical statistical data in twenty hospitals in Canada. The main goal of the research is to establish requirements that the health manager must attain to better achieve their goal. It also focuses on the available opportunities that exist to boost the functions of the health managers. The findings of the research considering the method used was quantitative hence depended on factual evidence, the managers in all health facilities including nursing homes, group medical practices and hospitals need to be qualified in terms of their academic merits as well as posses’ high leadership qualities.
The book by Stevens focuses on the combination of private and public institutions that at one time were regarded as charities but now have changed to business. The health industry is a perfect example of an industry that has greatly transformed due to science, wealth and technical advancement as the author puts it. To support his argument, he provides multiple situations that charity hospitals have now turned to focus on profit maximization. For these reason both the charities and business need to concentrate on managerial sectors to achieve required goal of providing quality and quantity services in their sectors. The research finding after carrying out a methodological data based survey of hospitals in United States, both public and private he came to a conclusion the management of hospital should be a social policy. This means that just like most other businesses hospitals too require harmonizing leadership and management sectors in their operations. While these two sectors are harmonized the stakeholders will not only be motivated but the organization will also be in a position to counter some major long term challenges such as handling chronically ill patients (Steven 1999).
While focusing on the effect of the administrative sector in the health care systems it is essential to also pay attention to the existing policies and political processes relating to the same. Harrington’s book Health Policy comprises of multiple articles that focus on various policies and political processes relating to hospitals in the United States. Using the evidence that he collects through these articles and specifically those that the data provided is based on information provided by ministry of health, the author explains that health systems and healthcare economics require unifying strategies to be in a position of providing adequate health care to all in the country. The research carried out finding show that existing policies on health care require proper administration in all disciplines to be able to tackle acutely sick and curable patients as well as provision of quality care for chronically ill (Harrington 2008).
Works Cited
Harrington Charlene, Health Policy: Crisis and Reform in the U.S Health Care Delivery System:Jones & Bartlett Publishers 2008.
Medical and Health Services Managers Occupational Outlook Handbook Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Medical-and-health-services-managers.htm” http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
Stevens, Rosemary. In sickness and in wealth: American hospitals in the twentieth century.Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. 1999
Who framework: Strengthening health leadership and management Retrieved from World HealthOrganization website HYPERLINK “http://www.who.int/topics/management/en/” http://www.who.int/topics/management/en/