The Post Conviction DNA Clinic is a year-long project
designed to provide students with an understanding of the
core problems in our criminal justice system that underlie
the increasing number of wrongful convictions.
Students in the project review case files and prisoner correspondence
with the aim of identifying cases that present
plausible facts and arguments that call for post conviction
DNA testing. Post conviction proceedings in the state and
federal system are also explored and pursued. Classroom
lectures are designed to explore the foundations of DNA
as an identification science.
This project introduces students to the leading indicia of
wrongful convictions and the impact of various behavioral
and natural forensic science applications that have led to
post conviction exonerations. Substantive reviews take
place regarding the importance of the medical and legal
death investigation, case law, pertinent studies and articles
on the subject of wrongful convictions, and numerous
Post Conviction DNA Project
state and federal public policy developments designed to advance
the interests of justice as well as the forensic
science community.
Individual student conferences on case files are regularly held
throughout the academic year. Students are expected to prepare
post conviction petitions for relief when necessary.
