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Has the advent of DNA testing impacted the rate of exoneration cases in recent years?

Shae Mathwen

Yes, DNA testing has had a big impact on the rate of exoneration cases in recent years.

Exoneration means that someone who was convicted of a crime is found to be innocent and gets released from prison. In the past, it was harder to prove innocence because there wasn't always strong evidence or technology to help.

But now, DNA testing can help prove whether someone is innocent or guilty. DNA is like a genetic code that each person has, and it is unique to them. By testing DNA found at a crime scene, scientists can tell whether it matches the accused person's DNA.

This has led to many innocent people being exonerated because the DNA evidence shows that they couldn't have committed the crime. In fact, the Innocence Project, an organization that helps free wrongfully convicted people, has helped to exonerate over 375 people through DNA evidence.

This doesn't mean that DNA evidence is always perfect, though. Sometimes, there can be mistakes or errors in the testing process. But overall, DNA testing has made it easier to prove innocence and has helped to make the justice system more fair.