Resources - Accurate Justice Project

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If you are interested in implementing our proposals in your jurisdiction, or to request state-specific resources, please reach out to us at office@accuratejustice.org.

Fact Sheets

Guaranteeing Action on CODIS Hits

CODIS is an immensely powerful crime-solving tool, but right now inadequate procedures mean the evidence generated by this program that could solve violent crimes and even wrongful convictions are often falling through the cracks. This two-pager explains what CODIS is, how CODIS is being underutilized, and why this problem is so urgent.

Reports

Innocence Overlooked: How Failures in CODIS Hit Review Are Leaving Wrongful Convictions Unaddressed and Wasting Millions in Public Funds

This report explains how exculpatory evidence generated by the FBI's CODIS database is being overlooked all across the country. The report finds that improved handling of these hits nationwide is likely to generate 20-25 new exonerations each year while saving over $15 million in public funds annually.

Model Policies and Procedures

Model Internal Policy For Prosecutors’ Handling of CODIS Hits

We have developed a model policy to guide prosecutors' offices handling of CODIS hits. These hits often provide crucial information that can help secure a conviction, provide a lead in a long-cold case, or expose a wrongful conviction. But right now, they are at risk of being ignored. Our model policy designate specific individuals who are responsible for reviewing incoming hits, and provides for specific follow-up actions required to fully investigate hits that could be used to secure a conviction or identify a wrongful conviction.

Model Internal Procedure for Law Enforcement Handling of DNA and Fingerprint Hits

DNA and fingerprint database hits (like those generated by CODIS and AFIS) can provide incredible investigative leads, identifying the perpetrator of a violent crime, exposing a serial offender, or even, in some cases, exposing a wrongful conviction. Yet the vast majority of law enforcement agencies in the United States have no policy or procedure governing the handling of such hits. This is concerning as, without such a procedure, this valuable evidence is unusually vulnerable to falling through the cracks. That is why we have provided a model protocol that agencies can incorporate into their existing policies.

Model Legislation

No Evidence Ignored Act

The No Evidence Ignored Act is our first-in-the-nation model legislation to guarantee that forensic database hits are used to their full potential statewide. The bill assigns responsibility for investigating database hits, lays out what investigative steps must be taken and who must be notified, and include reporting requirements to allow for compliance to be verified and the law's efficacy to be assessed.