- 01 Introduction
- 02 Biology of DNA
- 03 Practical Issues Specific to DNA Evidence
- 04 Introduction to the Forensic DNA Laboratory
- 05 Assuring Quality in DNA Testing
- 06 Understanding a Forensic DNA Lab Report
- 07 Statistics and Population Genetics
- 08 Mitochondrial DNA & Y-STR Analysis
- 09 Forensic DNA Databases
- 10 Collection of DNA Evidence from Suspects and Arrestees
- 11 Pretrial DNA Evidence Issues
- 12 Victim Issues
- 13 Trial Presentation
- 14 Postconviction DNA Cases
- 15 Emerging Trends
Principles of Forensic DNA
for Officers of the Court
for Officers of the Court
Module 14 :: Postconviction
Topic 1 :: Framework for Considering Cases
Category 2
In these cases in which biological evidence was collected and still exists, DNA results could support a claim of innocence, but reasonable disagreement could exist whether the results exonerate the petitioner.
Example: Petitioner was convicted of a homicide. The prosecution presented evidence and argued in closing that blood on a shirt found at petitioner's home came from the victim. Standard ABO blood typing had revealed a match between the sample and the victim's blood type. DNA testing that excludes the victim as a source of the bloodstains might be helpful to the petitioner's claim, yet not establish innocence.
