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 THINK THAT ANYONE WHO IS ARRESTED SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE HIS 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.