Evidence+Preservation+2011-2

Home 2011-2

__General Information-__

 * DNA can be contaminated when other DNA gets mixed in
 * Must preserve evidence. A technique used to copy DNA is called PCR(Polymerase Chain Reaction). It cannot determine DNA from a subject form DNA from others
 * There are precautions for preventing contamination- wear and change gloves often, use disposable tools, avoid touching any area where there might be DNA present, avoid talking sneezing and coughing over evidence, avoid touching any skin on your body when packaging or collecting evidence, air dry evidence
 * There must be elimination DNA samples( samples that will be present in the crime scene that do not pertain to the crime)
 * There must be documentation as to who came in contact with the evidence
 * Evidence collection starts with the evidence that is most easily destroyed
 * Each different type of evidence is collected in a different manner
 * Performing a test years later is almost impossible because the evidence is usually destroyed or corrupted.

__Common Problems with Evidence Contamination or Destruction-__
 * Evidence such as bodies, animals, and others can decompose if not refrigerated or stored properly
 * Electronic evidence can be destroyed by user
 * If liquid or wet evidence is stored in plastic/paper containers for more than two hours, microorganisms start to destroy the evidence
 * Evidence can deliberately or accidentally be mishandled

__Cases dealing with misconduct of evidence-__
 * Robin Lovitt - He was sentenced to death in 2000. He was convicted for capital murder and robbery of a pool hall employee in Arlington, Virginia. In Virginia there is legislation requiring the preservation of evidence. However, a court clerk threw away the murder weapon, a blood stained pair of scissors. At the time, DNA testing was not as advanced as it is today. During the time of conviction, the blood could only be tied to the victim, not the killer. Today, the blood on the scissors could also identify the killer. Mr. Lovitt appealed his case, and since the evidence was not preserved, the Governor of Virginia reduced his sentence to life in prison.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The former director for the West Virgina state crime lab testified that he has been involved with false or tampered results and that he omitted results
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A Chicago lab technician has testified about false results and tampered lab results

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">__Common Problems with Legislation-__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-If biological evidence is destroyed, the court will give the convict a new trial and tell the jury that physical evidence that could have proven innocence or guilt was destroyed in violation to the law. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">__Pennsylvania Legislation-__
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">About half of states have legislation concerning evidence preservation
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Some legislation limits the preservation of evidence to certain crimes
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Most states requiring preservation of evidence allows it to be prematurely disposed
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The majority of states do not do anything to stop those who destroy the evidence
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Legislation should include a part saying:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">NONE

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">__Maryland Legislation-__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Maryland must preserve biological evidence as of October 15, 2001. The investigating law agency must keep and preserve any biological evidence collected during the investigation of a crime for which any person may file a post-judgment conviction motion for DNA analysis. The evidence must be preserved for the period of time that any person is incarcerated in connection with that case.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">__Virginia Lesgislation-__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If a defendant is sentenced to death, the biological evidence found in the case must be preserved until the defendant is executed. If the defendant is not sentenced to death, the defendant must make a motion to preserve the evidence. It is then preserved for up to 15 years from time of conviction, unless the court rules that is should be preserved longer. This legislation came into place in 2001 and was amended in 2005.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">__Exonerated Inmate Dale Brison-__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Dale Brison was convicted of aggravated assault, kidnapping, rape, carrying a prohibited offensive weapon, and three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Brison was sentenced for 18-42 years in prison. Brison asked for a DNA test analysis and was denied the request. Hair from the scene of the crime was consistent with Brison’s. The Pennsylvania supreme court ruled that DNA testing must be done if evidence had been maintained. There were tests done to a vaginal swab and a semen stain on the underwear. Results on the vaginal swab were not conclusive. However, results concluded that the semen on the underwear did not match Brison which allowed him to be free. He was released for serving 3.5 years in prison. He has not received any compensation as of yet. Brison was convicted in 1990 and exonerated in 1994. The real perpetrator has not been found.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">__Statistics-__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 31/50 states have legislation regarding evidence preservation

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> __Sites for more Information__- [|__http://www.dna.gov/audiences/investigators/know/collection__] [|__http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Preservation_Of_Evidence.php__] [|__http://www.lab.fws.gov/evidence_collection.php#top__] [|__http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/evidenc3.html__] [|__http://www.ipmn.org/issue-misconduct_forensic_science.php__]

__Works Cited__- <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"DNA.gov: Evidence Collection and Preservation." The DNA Initiative. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. <http://www.dna.gov/audiences/investigators/know/collection>.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> "DNA.gov: Evidence Collection and Preservation." The DNA Initiative. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. <http://www.dna.gov/audiences/investigators/know/collection>.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> "Innocence Project Minnesota." Innocence Project Minnesota. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. <http://www.ipmn.org/issue-

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Schiro, George. "Collection and Preservation of Evidence, Part III -- Crime Scene Investigator Network." Crime Scene Investigator Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. <http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/evidenc3.html>.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> "Special Agents and Wildlife Inspectors: Evidence Collection and Preservation - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. <http://www.lab.fws.gov/evidence_collection.php#top>.