This section contains resources which address wrongful convictions resulting primarily from crime lab error, tainted evidence, destruction of evidence, fingerprint evidence and DNA testing.
Author: Bromwich, Michael R.Legislation
Title: Final Report of the Independent Investigator for the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory and Property Room
Citation: June 13, 2007.
URL: http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports/070613report.pdf
Author: Bromwich, Michael R.1
Title: First Report of the Independent Investigator for the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory and Property Room
Citation: April 29, 2005.
URL: http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports/050429report.pdf
Author: Bromwich, Michael R.2
Title: Second Report of the Independent Investigator for the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory and Property Room
Citation: May 31, 2005.
URL: http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports/050531report.pdf
Author: Bromwich, Michael R.3
Title: Third Report of the Independent Investigator for the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory and Property Room
Citation: June 30, 2005.
URL: http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports/050630report.pdf
Author: Bromwich, Michael R.4
Title: Phase II Plan of the Independent Investigator for the HPD Crime Laboratory and Property Room
Citation: July, 2005.
URL: http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports/050706phaseiiplan.pdf
Author: Bromwich, Michael R.5
Title: Fourth Report of the Independent Investigator for the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory and Property Room
Citation: January 4, 2006.
URL: http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports/060104report.pdf
Author: Bromwich, Michael R.6
Title: Fifth Report of the Independent Investigator for the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory and Property Room
Citation: May 11, 2006.
URL: http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports/060511report.pdf
Author: California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice
Title: Emergency Report and Recommendations Regarding DNA Testing Backlogs
Citation: February 20, 2007.
URL: http://www.ccfaj.org/documents/reports/problems/official/Report%20on%20DNA%20Backlogs.pdf
Author: City of Houston, Texas
Title: PD Reponse to Final Report by the Independent Investigator
Citation: houstontx.gov, June 13, 2007.
URL: http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2007/june/nr061307-1.html
Author: Connors, Edward, Lundregan, Thomas, Miller, Neal, and McEwan, Tom
Title: Convicted by Juries, Exonerated by Science: Case Studies in the Use of DNA Evidence to Establish Innocence After Trial
Citation: June, 1996.
URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/txtfiles/dnaevid.txt
Summary: National Institute of Justice Research Report
Author: Criminal Justice Advisory Council (Texas)
Title: Recommendations to Governor Rick Perry - January 2006 Report
URL: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/general_counsel/files/CJAC-0106.doc
Summary: Report produced in accordance with Executive Order RP 41 (March 14, 2005). Advises the Governor on matters such as forensics and methods to ensure accurate and reliable law-enforcement investigation procedures.
Author: Dale, W. Mark, Greenspan, Owen, and Orokos, Donald
Title: DNA Forensics: Expanding Uses and Information Sharing
Citation: September, 2006.
URL: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/dnaf.pdf
Summary: This report was prepared by SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics. "The report examines the history of DNA use by forensic investigators, considers the economics of DNA use as it relates to public safety, and reviews privacy concerns relating to the release of an individual's genetic information."
Author: Hamann, Kristine, New York State Inspector General
Title: Investigation of Drug Test Irregularities at the NYPD Forensic Laboratory in 2002
Citation: December 2007.
URL: http://tinyurl.com/2fdryj
Summary: Report caps a 7 month investigation that began in April 2007 when the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services asked the Inspector General to look into allegations of "dry-labbing" (presenting lab results without actually performing the tests) at the NYPD lab in 2002.
Author: NGA Center for Best Practices
Title: Issue Brief: Improving Public Safety by Expanding the Use of Forensic DNA
Citation: February 9, 2007.
URL: http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0702FORENSICDNA.PDF
Author: National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence
Title: The Future of Forensic DNA Testing: Predictions of the Research and Development Working Group
Citation: November, 2000.
URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/183697.pdf
Author: National Institute of Justice
Title: In Short: Increasing Efficiency in Crime Laboratories
Citation: January 2008.
URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/220336.pdf
Summary: Briefly discusses strategies some crime labs are taking to reduce backlogs.
Author: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics
Title: Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories, 2005
Citation: July, 2008.
URL: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/cpffcl05.htm
Author: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General
Title: Review of the Office of Justice Programs' Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program
Citation: January 2008.
URL: http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/reports/OJP/e0801/final.pdf
Summary: Review of the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program, which "provides funds to state and local governments to improve the timeliness and quality of forensic science and medical examiner services and to eliminate backlogs in the analysis of forensic evidence."
Author: Wisconsin Criminal Justice Study Commission
Title: Decreasing the Turnaround Time for DNA Testing
Citation: February 15, 2007.
URL: http://www.wcjsc.org/WCJSC_Report_on_DNA_Backlog.pdf
Title: Arizona - HB2787 (2007)Websites
Citation: Pending to Signed 6/25/07
URL: http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/48leg/1r/bills/hb2787s.pdf
Summary: Among other things, HB 2787 requires DNA testing for persons arrested for specific offenses regardless of whether they are convicted.
Title: Georgia - Senate Substitute to HR102 (2007)
Citation: House agreed to Senate Substitute, April 13, 2007.
URL: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hr102.htm
Summary: Resolution would provide for compensation to Robert Clark of $1.2 million for 23 year wrongful incarcertation.
Title: House Committee Meets on DNA Initiatives
Citation: Forensic Magazine, April 11, 2008.
URL: http://www.forensicmag.com/News_Articles.asp?pid=290
Title: Illinois SB 1023 (2007)
Citation: Passed both Houses, July 26, 2007.
URL: http://tinyurl.com/yrjtqw
Summary: Amends Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 in a section concerning preservation of evidence for forensic testing.
Title: Justice for All Act of 2004, Pub. L. 108-405, 118 Stat. 2260 (codified in scattered sections of 18 and 42 U.S.C.)
Citation: H.R. 5107 (passed October 30, 2004) Innocence Protection Act of 2004 - Title IV.
URL: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_bills&docid=f:h5107eh.txt.pdf
Summary: Provides for post-conviction DNA testing to exonerate the innocent.
Title: North Carolina - HB 1500 (2007)
Citation: Signed August 31, 2007.
URL: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2007&BillID=H1500
Summary: Provides the defendant access to DNA testing of evidence when current testing procedures are more accurate than past procesures, amends the law governing preservation and disposition of possible DNA evidence and postconviction DNA testing, and provides a right of appeal to a defendant for denial of a motion to conduct DNA testing.
Title: Texas - Executive Order RP 41 - March 14, 2005
URL: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/exorders/rp41
Summary: Relates to creation, composition and operation of Governor's Criminal Justice Advisory Council for the State of Texas.
Title: Texas - HB 1068 (signed 6/18/05, effective 9/1/05)
URL: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=HB1068
Summary: Relates to the collection and analysis of evidence and testimony based on forensic analysis, crime laboratory accreditation, DNA testing, and the creation and maintenance of DNA records; creates Texas Forensic Science Commission.
Title: Utah - Exoneration and Innocence Assistance (HB 154)
Citation: Pending.
URL: http://le.utah.gov/~2007/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0154.htm
Summary: Bill modifies provisions regarding postconviction DNA testing and creates a process for postconviction claims of factual innocence, and for financial assistance if the petitioner is found to be factually innocent.
Author: National Conference of State Legislatures
Title: Comparison of State Post Conviction DNA Laws
URL: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/genetics/DNAchart.htm
Title: New York State - Office of Forensic ServicesOther
URL: http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/forensic/dnabrochure.htm
Summary: The Office of Forensic Services (OFS) was established by Governor Pataki and is responsible for administrative oversight of the New York State DNA Databank and for maintaining a forensic laboratory accreditation program for public forensic laboratories. The website has information related to the OFS's goals and provides FAQs and internet links about DNA and forensic science.
Title: Office of the Independent Investigator for the Houston Police Department Crime Lab and Property Room
URL: http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/
Summary: Website affiliated with the independent investigators hired by the Houston Police Department to perform a comprehensive, independent investigation of HPD's Crime Lab and Property Room. Site contains links to the Reports issued to date.
Title: President's DNA Initiative: Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology
URL: http://www.dna.gov/
Summary: Part of a 5-year initiative announced by President Bush on March 11, 2003 to improve and increase the use of DNA technology in the criminal justice system. The Initiative provides increased funding, training, and assistance to ensure that Forensic DNA reaches its full potential to solve crimes, protect the innocent, and identify missing persons.
Author: American Judicature Society
Title: Institute of Forensic Science and Public Policy
URL: http://www.ajs.org/wc/index.asp
Summary: The Institute of Forensic Science and Public Policy is located in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is "devoted to improving the administration of justice through the application of cross-disciplinary research and education." The Institute strives to "improve the reliability and accuracy of justice system outcomes and improve public safety." Among the many things it does are developing and promoting forensic science standards and best practices and providing a source of accurate information regarding forensic science to the news media.
Author: Strutin, Ken
Title: Criminal Law Resources: Fingerprint Evidence Challenges
Citation: LLRX.com, April 4, 2008.
URL: http://www.llrx.com/features/fingerprintevidence.htm
Summary: "This article is a collection of select resources published on the web concerning the reliability and admissibility of fingerprint evidence. Links to guides, standards and related materials are listed to provide some background on the processes and application of this identification technique."