Interaction With Victims
Immediately consult the local victim/witness specialist in your jurisdiction, if one exists, to determine whether or not, and when, to advise the victim or survivors of the request for postconviction analysis of evidence. It is preferable for victims or survivors to learn of the request from a sensitive, trained professional (with whom the victim may have already developed a rapport), rather than from a crime scene investigation officer attempting to draw blood or collect saliva samples, or worse yet, from the news media. (See also Recommendations for Victim Assistance.)
Go to the Next Section: Pretesting Considerations
Download the complete document: Postconviction DNA Testing: Recommendations for Handling Requests (Adobe PDF)
Postconviction DNA Testing: Recommendations for Handling Requests
- Background on DNA Testing
- Framework for Analysis
- The Roles of Participants
- Legal Issues
- Biological Issues
- Recommendations for Prosecutors
- Recommendations for Defense Counsel
- Recommendations for the Judiciary
- Recommendations for Victim Assistance
- Recommendations for Laboratory Personnel
- Survey of Postconviction Statutes
- Summary of Postconviction DNA Motions
- Back to "Uses of Forensic DNA"
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