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The Long Term Value of DNA Evidence

By standdown

"DNA evidence recommendations urge long-term preservation of biological evidence," is the title of a National Law Journal web only article by Vesna Jaksic.The Justice Project has issued a set of recommendations to improve post-conviction DNA testing laws, such as that states should require preservation of biological evidence throughout a defendant's sentence and ensure inmates with DNA-based innocence claims may petition for testing at any time. The Justice Project is a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan organization that works to fight injustice. Its new report, "Improving Access to Post-Conviction DNA Testing: A Policy Review," also gives these recommendations: ? States should devise standards regarding custody of evidence -States should require judges to grant post-conviction testing petitions when testing may produce new evidence of the petitioner's innocence ? States should ensure petitioners have access to objective and reliable forensic analysis ? States should provide counsel and cover costs of post-conviction DNA testing for indigent petitioners ? States should standardize post-testing procedures for cases that produce testing results favorable to a petitioner...continue to full post

Full post as published by StandDown Texas Project on August 21, 2008 (boomark / email).