THE “INNOCENCE PROJECT”

By: Shayne Cahalan

& Katelyn Lewis & Kori Forrest

WHAT IS THE INNOCENCE PROJECT?

“Criminals” seeking freedom

Founded in 1992

Non-Profit Organizations

Founded at Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law at

Yeshiva University

250 people have been released

17 of 250 were at one time sentenced to death

FACTS

2.3% and 5% of all prisoners in the jail are

innocent

Four of the first 250 DNA exonerates

Most DNA cases involve sex crimes or violent

physical struggles

A fraction of criminal cases involve biological

evidence that can be subjected to DNA testing

THOMAS HAYNESWORTH

Is in jail for 27 years Accused of raping three people DNA and other evidence now show that it was

committed by “Black Ninja” rapist Between January 3 and February 1, 1984 five

white women were the victims of rape Hansworth was identified by one of the victim's latter the other 4 chose a picture out of a photo

array

After Thomas was arrested rapes was still

going on

Leon Davis, who was charged with about

Haynesworth was later convicted to 36

years

DNA DATABASE

ISSUES & CONCERNS

The Primary concern is privacy.

“Collected samples are stored, and many state

laws do not require the destruction of a DNA record

or sample after a conviction has been overturned. So

there is a chance that a person's entire genome may

be available”

DO YOU TH INK THAT ANYONE WHO IS ARRESTED SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE

H IS OR HER DNA TEST?

They already take your fingerprints, and they

don’t even ask. Therefore, I believe if they have

that right then they should be able to get their

DNA with out permission.

SAFE GUARDS

They should put better security on all files to

prevent them from getting stolen.