Introduction
The Postconviction DNA Testing Assistance Program is a grant initiative that provides States with funding to cover the cost of postconviction DNA testing. The program authorizes funds in cases involving violent felonies as defined by State laws (National Institute of Justice, 2018). Postconviction DNA testing has attracted considerable interest since the advent of forensic DNA analysis.
The program primarily makes it easier to review violent felonies where actual innocence may be proven. According to the National Institute of Justice (2018), many convicted criminals have been exonerated through DNA analysis of untested crime scene evidence. The program has incorporated technology into the justice system and facilitated access to costly technologies to help people who may have been wrongfully convicted find justice.
Postconviction DNA Testing Assistance Program
Postconviction DNA testing is a program run by the National Institute of Justice across all states in the U.S. Main institutions that benefit from the fund include States, public institutions of higher education, and local governments. Nevertheless, states must apply for the grant since it is not mandatory. The respective departments use the funds to pay for case reviews, finding evidence, DNA testing of evidence, and hiring additional staff and specialists.
Since its creation, the project has funded the application of newer DNA analysis technology to test crime scene samples previously considered aged, degraded, limited, or otherwise compromised biological evidence. Therefore, the program applies to people of all age groups, provided the crime involved a violent felony and innocence might be demonstrated. The component of the corrections system involved in the project is the Judiciary. The Judiciary started the program to realize the transformation of the Justice for All Act of 2004.
Reason for Selecting the Program
The application of technology to corroborate innocence has become fundamental in the judicial process today. Although exoneration is not the sole measure of the program’s success, several exonerations have resulted from NIJ’s funding. For example, Horace Roberts was convicted in 1999 for the murder of Terry Cheek (The National Registry of Exonerations, 2019; Garcia, 2018). On October 15, 2018, the court declared that Roberts had been cleared of all charges, while Googie Harris Sr. and Leal had been charged with the murder (The National Registry of Exonerations, 2019; Garcia, 2018). Roberts was acquitted due to the same technological advances that allow the judicial system to go back and reexamine old cases that have sat dormant to bring justice to the innocent.
Research on DNA testing to corroborate witness statements shows that the method is accurate and reliable for verifying claims of innocence (Saber et al., 2021). Had it not been for DNA, Roberts could still be associated with the crime and serving a sentence. DNA testing has confirmed the claims of many people seeking a justice review.
Therefore, it is essential to emphasize the benefit of the Postconviction DNA Testing Assistance Program and how to help convicts seek justice. It is important because it will offer a foundational change to the justice system and the law, which is supposed to be infallible. Furthermore, the program is of interest because it is essential for ongoing research on the application of technology in the criminal justice system.
Conclusion
The Postconviction DNA Testing Assistance Program offers a reprieve for convicted persons who can prove innocence through DNA testing. Since DNA testing is expensive, the program reduces the burden on States to review cases and locate and analyze biological evidence. The program is of interest because of the emerging instances in which DNA testing has resulted in significant exonerations and the application of technology in evidence collection and analysis.
References
Garcia, S. (2018). DNA evidence exonerates a man of murder after 20 years in prison. The New York Times. Web.
National Institute of Justice. (2018). Postconviction DNA testing. National Institute of Justice. Web.
Saber, M., Nodeland, B., & Wall, R. (2021). Exonerating DNA evidence in overturned convictions: Analysis of data obtained from the national registry of exonerations. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 33(3), 1–8. Web.
The National Registry of Exonerations. (2019). Horace Roberts – National Registry of Exonerations. Umich. Web.