How Dna Is Used to Exonerate the Wrongfully Accused
March 3, 2013 Wrongful convictions. | How the use of DNA can exonerate those wrongfully convicted.
Imagine wasting years of your life in a jail cell on death row, for a crime you did not commit. You have to ask yourself “how could this happen? How did an innocent person get convicted if indeed they are innocent?” Those are just a few questions you think of when you think of wrongful convictions. Some questions can be answered by the common causes of wrongful convictions, such as, eyewitness misidentifications, unreliable or improper forensic science, false confessions or admissions, lousy court representation from your lawyer, or police informants. DNA has also been able to positively exonerate numerous wrongfully convicted persons, even after a significant amount of time has passed since the crime occurred. Possibly the single most greatest cause of wrongful convictions worldwide is eyewitness misidentifications. Although eyewitness testimony can be very convincing and persuasive before a judge and jury, not too many people have a photographic memory. Only 3% of people worldwide have a photographic memory. An eyewitnesses memory is not as accurate as watching a surveillance tape of the crime. Instead, eyewitness identification must be preserved carefully, just like any other evidence collected in the case. All the more reason that a witnesses statement should be taken immediately and then be asked the same questions at a later time to ensure the stories match up. If there is any major variation in a witness statement, they should not be allowed to testify during a trial. This may lead to unreliable information and wrongfully portray how the crime had taken place and who was involved. A 1982 case involving a man, Calvin Willis, was convicted by a jury and sentenced to life in prison with no parole for aggravated rape of a 10 year old girl. Blood and seminal stains were collected from the clothing and bedding and Willis was identified as a contributor
Imagine wasting years of your life in a jail cell on death row, for a crime you did not commit. You have to ask yourself “how could this happen? How did an innocent person get convicted if indeed they are innocent?” Those are just a few questions you think of when you think of wrongful convictions. Some questions can be answered by the common causes of wrongful convictions, such as, eyewitness misidentifications, unreliable or improper forensic science, false confessions or admissions, lousy court representation from your lawyer, or police informants. DNA has also been able to positively exonerate numerous wrongfully convicted persons, even after a significant amount of time has passed since the crime occurred. Possibly the single most greatest cause of wrongful convictions worldwide is eyewitness misidentifications. Although eyewitness testimony can be very convincing and persuasive before a judge and jury, not too many people have a photographic memory. Only 3% of people worldwide have a photographic memory. An eyewitnesses memory is not as accurate as watching a surveillance tape of the crime. Instead, eyewitness identification must be preserved carefully, just like any other evidence collected in the case. All the more reason that a witnesses statement should be taken immediately and then be asked the same questions at a later time to ensure the stories match up. If there is any major variation in a witness statement, they should not be allowed to testify during a trial. This may lead to unreliable information and wrongfully portray how the crime had taken place and who was involved. A 1982 case involving a man, Calvin Willis, was convicted by a jury and sentenced to life in prison with no parole for aggravated rape of a 10 year old girl. Blood and seminal stains were collected from the clothing and bedding and Willis was identified as a contributor