Innocence Project DNA Testing in Forensics DNA testing

Innocence Project

DNA Testing in Forensics • DNA testing first used as paternity tests • DNA first used forensics in 1986, England • DNA used to verify the confession of a 17 year old boy in a Rape case • The boy proved to be innocent • First DNA-based conviction in USA occurred in 1987 – Tommy Lee Andrews convicted of rape – DNA in semen matched Andrews

DNA Testing Improves • 1994 - Federal DNA Identification Act of 1994 – Establishes an FBI managed DNA database • Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) – There are State databases as well as federal databases too – DNA sample is required upon felon arrest • Also in 1994 - Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act – Uniform Standards are followed in DNA testing – Admissibility of DNA evidence increased

Innocence Project • With DNA advancement, wrongful convictions are investigated further. • 1992 - Innocence project established – Assists prisoners who could be proven innocent through DNA testing – 300 people exonerated to date via DNA testing • 20 of those were on death row.

The story of Jennifer Thompson & Ronald Cotton • Part One: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=nb. ARxi. M 0 W_Q • Part Two: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Gtel. V 9 l mz. Qc

Is all DNA tested? • Though DNA must be collected, it isn’t always tested – Estimated 400, 000 rape kits go untested – Only 3% of rapists will ever serve prison time • Why? – Massive backlog – Testing one rape kit costs $500 -$1, 500 – Some only test is the alleged rapist is a stranger • If victim knows attacker, issue isn’t identity but consent • Memphis, 2009 – 11, 000 Rape kits discovered in storage facility • 1, 600 tested – 100 serial rapists identified – 10 of which have already been convicted

Samatha Bee’s Take on Rape Kits https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Urx. Tr. R 5_8 Zo