The House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, chaired by Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) will be holding a hearing Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at 2141 Rayburn Building, on "Advancing Justice Through Forensic DNA Technology and Competent Counsel Standards in Capital Cases." From the Press Release:

DNA technology is increasingly vital to ensuring accuracy and fairness in the criminal justice system. DNA can be used to identify criminals with incredible accuracy when biological evidence exists, and DNA can be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons mistakenly accused or convicted of crimes. Members of Congress have introduced legislation to ensure that wrongfully-convicted people have an opportunity to establish their innocence through DNA testing. This legislation also establishes standards to ensure competent legal counsel in capital cases. In March, the Bush administration unveiled a $1.16 billion initiative to reduce the DNA case backlog over the next five years.

Background:

• In many instances, public crime labs are overwhelmed by backlogs of unanalyzed DNA samples.

• In numerous recent cases, post-conviction DNA testing that has exonerated an innocent person has also helped identify the actual criminal.

• More research is needed to develop faster methods for analyzing DNA evidence.

• Professionals working in the criminal justice system need additional training and assistance in order to ensure the optimal use of DNA evidence to solve crimes and assist victims.

• The criminal justice system needs the resources to provide DNA testing in appropriate circumstances for individuals who assert that they have been wrongly accused.

We hope this means the Innocence Protection Act is closer to passing Congress.