State+DNA+Comparisons+(2)

DNA Testing Access 2011-2

Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
 * Any prisoner convicted of a criminal offense my apply for post conviction DNA testing to the sentencing court.
 * The evidence may have been discovered either prior to or after the applicant's conviction. The evidence will be available for testing as of the date of the motion. If the evidence was found prior to the applicant's conviction, the evidence can not be subject to the DNA testing requested because the technology for testing was not in existence at the time of the trial or the applicant's counsel did not seek testing at the time of the trial in a case where a verdict was rendered on or before January 1, 1995, or the applicant's counsel sought funds from the court to pay for the testing because his client was indigent and the court refused the request despite the client's indigence.
 * The director establishes regulations and procedures for obtaining DNA
 * The director shall be a person knowledgeable in the field of forensic sciences and shall be paid an annual salary which shall be set


 * Only certified doctors and physicians may take DNA when being used for a case
 * If not, a retrial must be given
 * All accused persons must submit DNA within 1 year of there accusion
 * Any person who refuses will receive a fine of no more than $1000 and/or 6 months in prison
 * DNA may be used to identify criminal offenders

Texas
 * Texas is still currently amending it’s DNA laws
 * Recently, a new law allows DNA to solve crimes of 20 years ago