Monday, December 20, 2010

Skinner v. Switzer

Yet another article on how important DNA gene testing can be in criminal cases. Forensic DNA testing has lead to numerous convictions and has exonerated many innocent parties. As the articles states... "The court did however acknowledged...DNA testing had an “unparalleled ability” to separate the guilty from the innocent"

Amazing!

Center for DNA Testing


Skinner v. Switzer: "

On Wednesday October 13th the Supreme Court justices asked about an hour’s worth of questions regarding Henry Skinner’s request that a Texas district attorney turn over all existing DNA evidence in the triple murder he was convicted of in 1995.


In an interview Skinner said, “Turn over the evidence and test it, and let the chips fall where they may. If I’m innocent I go home. If I’m guilty, I die. What’s so hard about that?”


The justices, the two attorneys representing Skinner, and district attorney Lynn Switzer referred to around a half-dozen Supreme Court precedents in addition to the difference between a civil rights claim, using federal habeas law to attack a wrongful conviction, the respect owed state courts when the justices are interpreting state statutes and even the definition of the word “necessarily.” The issue that they never came close to was the question of whether DNA evidence that might prove a person guilty or innocent should always be available to the convicted.


This is because in a 2009 decision involving an Alaska man who was convicted of kidnapping and rape, the court ruled 5 to 4 that prisoners do not have a constitutional right to DNA evidence. The court did however acknowledged that such DNA testing had an “unparalleled ability” to separate the guilty from the innocent, the majority of the court said that the decision on when prisoners have the right to such DNA testing are best left to state legislatures and Congress. While this appears to be a roadblock to prisoner’s requests for additional DNA testing the justices left a small loophole. The Justices allowed that for civil rights claims, if the prisoner could show that he was denied due process to obtaining evidence that could lead to his exoneration they should be allowed additional DNA testing.


That is the argument that Skinner and his attorneys are seeking to use. Skinner has always proclaimed his innocence, despite acknowledging that he was in the home during the brutal killings of his girlfriend and her two children on New Year’s Eve 1993. Skinner has always claimed that he was passed out on what tests later showed to be a near-lethal combination of codeine and alcohol and that he could not have overpowered and killed the three in his condition. He said he woke to find them dead; the blood on his clothes came from examining them.


When the trial occurred prosecutors tested some of the DNA evidence from the home. They did not test material from a rape kit, or skin cells under Busby’s fingernails, or hairs and other evidence from the scene. This is the evidence that Skinner is claiming will prove his innocence. At the time it seems a strategic decisions was made by both the prosecutors and the defense. Prosecutors did not feel they needed the extra evidence. While Skinner’s lawyer feared more testing would only make the case against his client stronger.


After the trial Skinner and his supporters, including Northwestern University’s Medill Innocence Project, have pointed out that Busby had expressed fear of her uncle, Skinner contends that the now deceased uncle is the possible killer, and Skinner states that he always wanted the evidence tested.


Wednesday’s Supreme Court hearing was based solely on technical arguments. Skinner’s attorney told the court that the only issue was whether Skinner could use the federal courts to press his civil rights claim to the evidence. He cited a previous court ruling that gave prisoners access to some evidence as long as the claim would not “necessarily imply the invalidity of a conviction or sentence.”


“I would interpret his complaint is what he wants is the DNA. He thinks it’s going to be exculpatory. He doesn’t know that till he gets it,” stated Justice Stephen G. Breyer. While Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. said “In the real world, a prisoner who wants access to DNA evidence is interested in overturning his conviction,” and so his request for the DNA could not be separated from his attempt to get off death row.


Gregory Coleman, who represented district attorney Switzer, agreed with Justice Samel A. Alito Jr. stating that, “this is an attack on the criminal proceeding.” Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan both pointed out that this places Skinner in a Catch-22, because he couldn’t challenge the wrongfulness of his conviction without knowing the results of the DNA test.


At this time there has been no ruling on the case.

"

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Forensic DNA Test Exonerates Man After 29 Years

In 1981 Raymond Towler was arrested for rape, assault and kidnapping. He was given two consecutive sentences 7 to 25 and 5 to 25 years. In May 2004 Towler was able to file an application for DNA testing based on a new law in Ohio. Finally in May of 2010, 29 years later, the final findings resulted in Towler's request for release being granted.

It's amazing how far we've come in forensic DNA testing and even more so to think where we will be in another 30 years. There have been more than 260 exoneration cases based on DNA evidence and of those cases about 160 true suspects/perpetrators have been identified. Forensic DNA material is constantly involved in the pursuit of crime perpetrators and will continually play a vital role in their convictions.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

DNA Testing – Are You Raising Someone Else’s Child?

A great article on how far gene testing has progressed and how important it can be key to unlocking joy in one's life. There's no better joy than knowing! Whether you're in need of paternity testing, a sibling dna test, grandparent dna testing or even ancestry testing it is important to do some research on the dna testing services you've selected. Don't trust your life history and future with just anyone.

DNA Testing – Are You Raising Someone Else’s Child?: "

By Tom LeBaron


Back in the 1700s, the best way to determine who a persons father was, was by taking a good hard look at the child, followed by a good hard look at the father. If there were enough coincidences then maybe a relationship could be possible. by the 1800s, it was discovered that eye color could be a paternity identifier. With recent DNA advances we have learned that the eye color theory is flawed. We now know that eye colour is determined by at least six different alleles, or genetic markers. Fortunately paternity testing has become a lot easier and much more affordable over the past few years due to advances in DNA science.


Although an estimated 200,000 DNA tests are conducted each year by states needing to determine child-support and welfare issues, not as many people are willing to conduct their own at-home paternity test because they don’t realize the simplicity and convenience of an at-home paternity test.


How does home DNA testing work?


Paternity testing requires a painless sample from both the child and possible father. Even without a sample from the mother, DNA paternity test results are up to 99.9% accurate. Most companies provide testing material which they will mail directly to you so that you can provide the samples.


Because of advances in DNA testing it is no longer necessary to draw blood. Buccal (mouth) swabs are the standard. These swabs have the same genetic information that is carried in blood but none of the hazards. By gently massaging the inside of the child’s mouth, cheek cells are collected. These cells are then sent to the lab for testing. Labs analyze up to sixteen genetic markers of the child and match them against the markers of the alleged father. Because each of us receives half our genetic markers from each parent, the results of DNA paternity testing are still accurate without the DNA information of the mother but a really good test will include the mother this helps insure that there is no chance of a false positive.


What else can a DNA test do?


DNA test kits can also be used to analyze sibling relationships, establish cousin or grandparent relationships, determine twin zygosity (i.e. whether twins are fraternal or identical), identify ancestral origin, verify Native American decent, assure parents they left the hospital with the right baby, and most important, provide legal evidence – be prepared to pay a bit more for legal tests. Legal tests can be used to settle adoption issues, settle child-support disputes, and provide information for immigration files. Legal tests can not be preformed using a home test kit.


How to choose a DNA laboratory



  • Accreditation is a vital part of choosing a laboratory. Accredited labs have an annual audit and inspection, undergo internal and external reviews, and have their equipment calibrated for accuracy. Look for an ISO and/or AABB certification. Accredited labs will have a good reputation and near 100% track record for court cases.

  • Make sure you understand all the fees. Keep an eye out for hidden fees. Some companies will charge you for the kit and then charge you again for the results. This is especially true of kits purchased at a pharmacy or store.

  • Double check when you order your kit that you’re only buying the results you need. If you need a test for any official purpose (changing a name or birth certificate) Make sure you are getting a legal test.

  • Ask about privacy. Make sure that your identity and intentions are kept secure.


Enjoy piece of mind. Be confident that the questions you have can be answered and that DNA testing is safe easy and stress-free.

"

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Welcome to Center for DNA Testing

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the Center for DNA Testing blog. Here our goal is to keep you informed and up-to-date on the latest in the DNA and Paternity Testing industry. If you would like to know more about Center for DNA Testing and the services we provide please visit: www.centerforDNAtesting.com. Or contact us directly at 1(888) 409-8100.