SINCE it began in 1992, the has deployed DNA evidence to exonerate 232 people previously convicted in American courts. Faulty interpretation of forensic evidence had contributed to around half the wrongful convictions.
This failure of forensic science to protect the innocent is underlined in a report from the US National Academy of Sciences (see “Forensic evidence goes on trial”). A core concern was the unreliability of traditional techniques compared with DNA methods. These older techniques, which are still relevant, need stronger scientific backing – yet it is DNA that gets most of the research funding. Let’s hope the report will change that. For justice to prevail, we need to put forensic science onto the firmest possible footing and subject it to the rigorous testing it deserves.