Does DNA and video surveillance assist in solving homicides?

In 1961, the first year in which comparative homicide data was recorded, in Canada, police solved 95% of all homicides across the provinces. In contrast, in 2010, Canadian law enforcement solved 20% fewer homicide cases despite the fact that there had been a dramatic 30% decrease in homicides since the mid-1990s. Considering the major scientific and technological advances, such as DNA analysis and video surveillance, the decrease in homicides solved seems notable. The author analyzed the effect that DNA and video surveillance had towards solving homicide cases, by examining five years of cases investigated by the Vancouver Police Department’s Homicide Unit. DNA was found to have a limited effect, while video surveillance contributed to over half the homicide cases. As these investigative techniques, can be resource intensive and time consuming, police need to be aware as to prioritize their actions in this era of increased accountability.