Publications for Officers of the Court

Publications containing information on DNA technology and its applications in criminal justice systems.

Can Jury Trial Innovations Improve Juror Understanding of DNA Evidence?
National Institute of Justice Journal 255, November 2006
A single spot of blood on a pink windowsill will tell investigators who broke a windowpane, turned a lock, and kidnapped 2-year-old Molly Evans from her bedroom in the middle of the night. An expert witness will testify that the DNA profile of the blood evidence recovered from the windowsill was entered into CODIS, an electronic database of DNA profiles. That process yielded a "hit," identifying the defendant as the most likely source of the blood inside Molly's room. But will jurors be able to understand the expert's intricate analysis and use it to reach a verdict? And what—if any—steps can be taken to increase jurors' comprehension of complex DNA evidence?

The Silent Witness
National District Attorneys Association, American Prosecutors Research Institute, with funding from the Bureau of Justice Statistics
Newsletter addressing forensic DNA issues.

DNA Evidence Policy Considerations for the Prosecutor
American Prosecutors Research Institute, National District Attorneys Association, 2004, with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance
Using DNA as evidence in criminal cases has catapulted forensic sciences into a new era. Never before have prosecutors had such a powerful tool at their disposal for identifying suspects. And never before has a technique been more thoroughly scrutinized and validated than forensic DNA testing. "Sample Policies Relating to DNA Evidence," listed in Appendix A, are available for download.

Report to the Attorney General on Delays in Forensic DNA Analysis
National Institute of Justice, 2003
Although crime laboratories have made enormous progress in reducing the number of unanalyzed convicted offender samples from DNA databases, they continue to be deluged with analysis requests. This report presents the results of a task force, convened by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at the request of Attorney General John Ashcroft, to assess existing DNA analysis delays and develop recommendations for eliminating those delays. The report details six recommendations that will serve as the foundation of a comprehensive, national DNA backlog reduction strategy.

National Forensic DNA Study Report
Smith Alling Lane, P.S.; Division of Governmental Studies and Services, Washington State University, 2003, with funding from the National Institute of Justice
An NIJ-commissioned independent study to ascertain the size of and reasons for the Nation's backlog of DNA evidence.

The Application of DNA Technology in England and Wales
Smith Alling Lane, P.S.; Division of Governmental Studies and Services, Washington State University, 2003, with funding from the National Institute of Justice
England is widely recognized as having the most effective and efficient approach to the use of forensic DNA technology in the world. This NIJ commissioned independent study reviews the application of DNA technology in England and Wales.

The FBI's Combined DNA Index System Program: CODIS

The FBI's Combined DNA Index System Program: CODIS
Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2000
Gives background information on the FBI Laboratory's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which blends forensic science and computer technology into an effective tool for solving violent crimes. CODIS enables Federal, State, and local crime labs to exchange and compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking crimes to each other and to convicted offenders.

Using DNA to Solve Cold Cases
National Institute of Justice, 2002
A practical resource for law enforcement personnel who review old, cold, or unsolved cases. The report provides legal and practical considerations for applying DNA technology to unsolved cases and delivers a step-by-step process to help investigators select cases that DNA evidence will most likely help solve.

Convicted by Juries, Exonerated by Science: Case Studies in the Use of DNA Evidence to Establish Innocence After Trial
National Institute of Justice, 1996
Discusses a study, initiated in June 1995, to identify and review cases in which convicted persons were released from prison as a result of posttrial DNA testing of evidence. As of early 1996, researchers had found 28 such cases: DNA test results obtained subsequent to trial proved that, on the basis of DNA evidence, the convicted persons could not have committed the crimes for which they were incarcerated.

Postconviction DNA Testing: Recommendations for Handling Requests
National Institute of Justice, 1999
Developed by the Postconviction Issues Working Group of the National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence, this publication offers recommendations for prosecutors, defense counsels, courts, and other relevant groups who receive requests for postconviction DNA testing on how to handle such requests.

Read the complete text of Postconviction DNA Testing: Recommendations for Handling Requests on DNA.gov or download the document in Acrobat PDF or ASCII.