Impact of DNA Evidence In Addressing Human Rights Issues in the Philippines and Other Uses of DNA Worldwide, presented by Dr. Corazon DeUngria and Chris Asplen

• NCJ Number: 217849
• Author(s): Corazon De Ungria; Chris Asplen
• Date Published: January 2006
• Length: 0 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2003-IJ-CX-K024
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description; Issue Overview

Annotation

This video covers two presentations. one on the use of DNA evidence in addressing human rights issues in the Philippines, and the other on the evolution of the use of DNA evidence in America and its influence worldwide.

Abstract

Dr. Maria Corazon A. De Ungria - the current head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory, National Sciences Research Institute at the University of the Philippines - discusses The DNA Analysis Laboratory's promotion of the development of forensic DNA technology in the Philippines through research and DNA testing in actual cases. In 2005, the laboratory's project Research, Training, and Extension Service for Forensic DNA Testing in the Philippines was funded under the Human Rights and Democracy in Asia Budget of the European Commission. She speaks of a major objective of the project, which was to study the feasibility of post-conviction DNA tests in the Philippines, so as to improve post-conviction methods for identifying wrongfully convicted persons. The second speaker was Chris Asplen - a former Assistant U.S. Attorney who was appointed as the Executive Director of the U. S. Attorney General's Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence in 1998. Its mission was to maximize the value of DNA in the criminal justice system. He became an international spokesperson for prioritizing the development and use of DNA testing in criminal investigations. He provides an overview of how DNA testing has not only increased convictions, but has also decreased the number of wrongful convictions.