Suffering from a wrongful criminal conviction is hurtful and damaging. However, a convict may still seek post-conviction relief by requesting a DNA analysis. Through DNA technology, it would be possible to identify the offender and present new evidence about the crime. If you are seeking post-conviction relief, should you consider DNA testing?
Advantages and disadvantages of DNA analysis
According to the Innocence Project, the 0.1% of DNA that is unique to every human is the critical basis for DNA analysis. The national litigation and public policy organization added that DNA testing has these benefits:
- Making exonerations possible: The National Registry of Exonerations reported that since 1989, at least 575 prisoners throughout the country received exonerations. This became possible after DNA test results proved their innocence.
- Causing removals from death row: At least 35 prisoners experienced relief from death row because their DNA results wrote off their death sentences.
- Giving convicts a chance for relief: All 50 states have enacted post-conviction DNA laws that allow convicts to access DNA testing in hopes of seeking relief.
However, some DNA laws have restrictions based on the criminal offense or if an alleged offender pleaded guilty. Moreover, the other disadvantages of DNA analysis are its steep costs and testing limitations.
The cost of DNA analysis for criminal cases may be $5,000 to $50,000. This would depend on the number of tests, types of specialized methods and quantity of the evidence. As for the testing limitations, DNA analysis may not be possible when there is a lack of evidence or failure to preserve samples.
Aiming to overturn a wrongful conviction
Nothing may bring back the lost time and wasted opportunities due to a wrongful conviction. But with legal guidance, you may explore all the options for post-conviction relief so that you can pursue justice and begin again in life.