The National Institute of Justice has awarded Wisconsin—through the Office of Justice Assistance (OJA)—a $647,000 federal grant to expand the state’s efforts to use DNA evidence to exonerate citizens who have been wrongly convicted.

Law enforcement professionals recognize that DNA evidence is a highly informative tool that assists in the identification and conviction of the guilty and may serve to exonerate others.

Wisconsin recognizes that advances in DNA testing techniques and more refined technology have increased the public’s expectation about the use and reliance on DNA testing.

While the overall occurrence of wrongful convictions in Wisconsin’s criminal justice system is anticipated to be relatively small, it is important to confirm that this is the case.

This new federal money enables a proactive approach and greatly expands the state’s ability to conduct DNA testing in appropriate cases.

A collaborative effort between the Office of Justice Assistance, Attorney General, the State Public Defender and Wisconsin Innocence Project, will be created to document the results of any exonerations and recommend policy changes where appropriate to further reduce the potential of wrongful convictions.

While the state is optimistic that very few circumstances will be found that have resulted in a wrongful conviction, recommendations that can lead to improvements in the criminal justice system are beneficial.

Beginning in January, the Wisconsin Innocence Project will begin identifying and evaluating murder, non-negligent homicide, and forcible rape cases where there is the potential that favorable DNA results might create a reasonable probability of a different outcome in court.

In such cases, the Wisconsin Innocence Project will seek DNA testing of evidence and any subsequent relief.

The grant will also provide funds to the Department of Justice to cover expenses incurred from such DNA testing.

The Wisconsin Innocence Project—part of the University of Wisconsin Law School—is the primary organization dedicated to helping prisoners obtain post-conviction DNA analysis.

In Wisconsin, at least six people have now had their convictions for rape or murder reversed, in whole or in part, by post-conviction DNA testing.