Errors in DNA Handling Leads to Re Examination of More Than 800 Rape Cases

A review by the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office has uncovered that a lab technician failed to detect DNA evidence in more than two dozen sexual assault cases dating back to 2001. According to a news article in The Wall Street Journal, 26 instances were discovered during an inquiry into more than 800 cases that the technician handled between 2001 and 2008. It is not clear how many more cases remain to be examined.
The technician was training for a new job when supervisors noticed she was not handling evidence correctly. She was supposed to look at clothing to check for stains that could contain DNA evidence to help track down suspects. But, a review revealed that the technician had overlooked and did not properly test stains in many of the cases. In 26 of these cases, investigators who reexamined the evidence were able to develop a full DNA profile of a possible suspect where none had existed before. The technician resigned in November 2011.
New York City Rape Statistics
FDNY reports 991 transports of rape victims to city hospitals in the year 2008. During the same year, 27 New York City emergency departments stated that 1,367 patients were treated for sexual assault. Also, in 2008, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) received 890 reports of first-degree rape and the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) reported 944 arrests for first- to third-degree rape.
Justice for Victims of Sexual Assault
Such oversight in rape cases can definitely have serious effects. First, it causes more trauma to the victims who have already suffered a horrific event. This type of mishandling delays justice for victims, leaves the perpetrators of these crimes at large as well as potentially victimizing others. Sexual assault tends to leave victims scarred physically and emotionally. It is crucial that the perpetrators of these crimes are apprehended and brought to justice.
The experienced New York personal injury lawyers with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm have a strong record of helping victims of sexual assault. Our attorneys obtained a $2,500,000 settlement after an 11-year-old girl was raped in the elevator of her Bronx apartment building because the offenders had an elevator pass key. The offenders were able to make a copy of the key, which led to the sexual assault. We argued that the building manager in this case should have had better oversight and key control.
We also obtained $800,000 for a woman who was raped because of a faulty door lock. Our attorneys put pressure on the defense until a settlement was reached before having to involve any witnesses or the victim. If you or a loved one is a victim of sexual assault in New York, please call our offices 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: The Wall Street Journal