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”

D O Y O U T H I N K T H AT A N Y O N E W H O I S A R R E S T E D S H O U L D H AV E T O H AV E H I S O R H E R D N A T E S T ?

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.