California DNA Assistance Program (CADNAP)

As submitted by the proposer: The proposed project addresses the changing demographics of California and its Spanish-speaking prison population; the advent of technological advances like touch DNA and the need to explore cases which could benefit from that technology; and the need to complete the investigations in DNA cases which have resulted from previous grants. The CA-IPs will continue work under CADNAP, with the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) having oversight responsibility. The five goals for this proposal are: ( 1) to identify potential postconviction DNA testing cases; (2) to review appropriate postconviction cases to identify those in which DNA testing could prove the actual innocence of a person convicted of a violent felony offense; (3) to locate biological evidence associated with such postconviction cases; ( 4) to perform DNA analysis of appropriate biological evidence; and (5) to produce a final report that shares findings with Cal OES and NIJ grant officials. ca/ncf