What role has DNA played in reopening old criminal cases?

What role has DNA played in reopening old criminal cases?

Richard Saferstein (Former Chief Forensic Scientist) gives expert video advice on: What is DNA and how is it used in CSI?; When was DNA first used in CSI?; What effect did the 'Colin Pitchfork Case' have on DNA use in CSI? and more...

There have been well over 200 individuals in the United States that have been exonerated (convicted individuals) through the use of DNA. It's just that back in the 1980's and the 1990's, many investigations relied solely on eye-witness testimonies and confessions. These were obviously devoid of any scientific evidence. However, even without scientific evidence, juries still convicted people. In many of these cases, the evidence has been preserved, and this has allowed scientists to go back and reopen these cases and look at the DNA aspects of the case. And that's one of the beauties of DNA. It's pretty hard and it will stay with us, along with the evidence for very long periods of time. Thank goodness for that, because there are well over 200 individuals that have their freedom to thank for DNA, or to DNA.