DNA forensic evidence has put countless criminals behind bars. But its introduction has also exposed the shocking level of false convictions.
An analysis of 328 cases in which convictions were overturned in the US between 1989 and 2003 suggests significant numbers of innocent people are serving time for rape or murder. Some have been committed to death row, or have even been executed. If DNA evidence was routinely available in robbery cases, “tens of thousands” of innocent people serving sentences for this crime might be exonerated, a report released on Monday suggests.
The 15-year study by Samuel Gross of the…
