Post-conviction DNA in support of Conviction Integrity Unit

Under this program, BJA provides funding to help defray the costs associated with postconviction DNA testing for violent felony offenses (as defined by state law) in which actual innocence might be demonstrated.

Through this solicitation, the Office of the Fulton County District Attorney is seeking to increase personnel in order to meet the increased demand for the complexity of DNA testing sought by convicted defendants claiming actual innocence. Funds will support one full-time assistant district attorney and one full-time investigator whose work will be 100 percent dedicated to DNA-related postconviction cases. In addition, funds will be utilized to obtain cutting-edge testing not available at the state crime lab. Under this grant, the new assistant district attorney and investigator will work with the Conviction Integrity Unit Director to review and investigate all DNA-related postconviction cases. The Conviction Integrity Unit anticipates investigating more than 80 new cases during the grant period. Most of these cases will come to the Conviction Integrity Unit through applications from inmates or other interested parties, and some of the cases may come from internal audits. The goals for this program are to:

(1) Review postconviction cases to identify those in which DNA testing could prove actual innocence.
(2) Locate relevant biological evidence.
(3) Obtain and evaluate DNA analysis of appropriate biological evidence.
(4) Resolve cases as appropriate.

CA/NCF