DNA evidence changes identification methods

State News

This month, New Jersey will become the first state with guidelines strongly recommending that police use the sequential method rather than displaying an array of photos of suspects, according to APBnews. com. Studies have shown that the new method, which does not allow witnesses

to compare mug shots side-by-side, drastically cuts the number of mistaken identifications. In 1999, a study by the U.S. Justice Department found that many cases overturned on the basis of DNA evidence relied heavily on witness identifications of suspects. "Before, we didn't have [DNA] testing, which I think is going to revolutionize law enforcement as much as the fingerprint did," said state Attorney General John J. Farmer Jr., who called for the change.

The push for the sequential method came from law enforcement, not suspect advocates. "As the science gets better, law enforcement serves itself well as we stay current," said Kathy Flicker, director of the state Division of Criminal Justice. The policy change coincides with another unconventional new program in New Jersey designed to take advantage of DNA evidence. As part of the Truth Project, which was unveiled in June, inmates can try to use DNA to establish their innocence at the state's expense. But by enrolling, inmates give authorities the right to try to match their DNA against samples gathered from the scenes of unsolved crimes or even future crimes. DNA can match people to evidence found at crime scenes - or exonerate them. Flicker said New Jersey has had relatively few cases overturned because of DNA evidence.