Peter Neufeld, an attorney with the project, said his group was involved in the eight cases overturned by DNA evidence. The project currently is handling 200 cases and has a backlog of 1,000 cases, Neufeld said. To handle the rising workload, the project's attorneys have partnered with about a dozen other law schools since February. The science of forensic DNA testing was invented about 10 years ago. The field has become increasingly sophisticated technologically and testing has become more accurate.
Some groups also provide free testing for poor inmates.
Not always salvation Experts warn that DNA does not always mean salvation. In a majority of disputed cases, death penalty and otherwise, DNA evidence is neither applicable nor relevant. And even if DNA test results seemingly help the inmate, prosecutors and defense attorneys may not agree that it proves innocence. I think we need to be clear it is not a magic bullet in post-conviction cases. For instance, if DNA tests prove that semen on the rape victim's body does not match that of the convicted man, prosecutors and defense attorneys would likely conclude he did not do it.