Wrongful Convictions and DNA

Introduction

If one were to pick up a modern day newspaper and compare it to one published earlier in the century, it would become clear the DNA testing has surely made identifying criminals a lot simpler. A majority of modern criminal proceedings rely on DNA testing to solidify the charges against the alleged criminal. The technology has surely made the job of finding, and convicting criminals a lot easier. With that being said, it goes without saying that the very technology that has the capability of improving the system also has the capability of pointing out the system's mistakes. Examples of such mistakes include the multitude of individual's that were wrongly convicted. Thanks to DNA testing, many individuals have been given back their freedom; deciding if those individuals will ever be able to lead a normal life again is a very justified debate in itself and is on the minds of legislators and prosecutors with every wrongful conviction that is uncovered. The purpose of this paper is to take a closer look at DNA testing and how it has helped in the identification of wrongful convictions.

Thesis

“DNA testing has truly changed how the justice system of the United States functions. It has helped convict perpetrators and has also helped release individuals that had been wrongly convicted.”

History of DNA Testing

Since the introduction of DNA testing in 1985, the method has had a success rate of approximately 99% and is there by considered to be one of the most reliable pieces of evidence in criminal proceedings. Tommie Lee Andrews was the very first individual to be convicted based on DNA evidence. The following year, DNA evidence proved a man to be the infamous “The Southside Strangler” ; proving his involvement in several counts of rape and murder. The “Green River Killer” was found guilty based on DNA evidence too, and is currently serving out his 48 consecutive life sentences. The benefits of the technology are endless. The FBI now maintains over 5 million DNA samples of known felons and sex offenders and legislators are currently debating whether or not every convicted felons DNA sample should be stored for future reference. The general public has come to understand the technology thanks to media adaptations (www.law.northwestern.edu). Movies, soap operas and literary best sellers often utilize the technology and build their story around it. Over the years, DNA testing has become the most widely known form of forensics.

American society had not accepted DNA testing right off the bat. One of the most watched trials in the history of the United States, People of the state of California vs. O.J. Simpson, could have seen the alleged put behind bars had the court decided to trust the results of the blood analysis found at the scene of the crime. Many believe that allowing individuals that have been previously found guilty of a crime should not be given access to DNA testing primarily because it would create distrust in the judicial system. The general public might perceive ...