Recommendations for Prosecutors
Requests for postconviction DNA testing may come from a variety of parties, including inmates, their families, defense attorneys, or police. When a request for postconviction DNA testing is received, recommendations for prosecutors include the following:
- Get as much information as possible about the inmate and the case, including defenses proffered at trial and defenses currently claimed.
- Determine whether the case is suited to DNA testing, depending on the category of the case. Evaluate previous DNA testing.
- Provide information to the requestor, including the fact that DNA testing could have a negative effect if the inmate's DNA testing results are placed in a DNA criminal identification bank and he is identified as a perpetrator of other crimes.
- Throughout the process, consult and notify victim/witness specialists, forensic DNA experts, defense counsel, and prosecutors experienced in DNA technologies and postconviction relief issues.
Some or all of the content on this page was excerpted from the Special Report Postconviction DNA Testing: Recommendations for Handling Requests, developed under an award from the Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice. See award product disclaimer.
