Beyond the Match: DNA and the Fight for Justice in Sex Crimes Prosecution

How have advances in DNA testing impacted the prosecution of sexual violence? What happens when testimony about powerful evidence unlocked by DNA testing is challenged as inadmissible under the US Constitution because the testing analyst isn’t available to testify at trial? In this episode, former sex crimes prosecutor and former Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez joins us to discuss the evolving role of DNA evidence in sex crimes prosecution and the legal challenges to its admissibility in prosecutions. We talk about how these cases are built, the common misconceptions around forensic evidence, and why DNA alone isn’t always enough. Anita shares her experience leading a major prosecutor’s office through some of the most important courtroom battles over the admissibility of DNA, including Williams v. Illinois. We also look at the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Smith v. Arizona—and offer strategies for prosecutors trying to get justice while protecting a defendant’s constitutional rights.This podcast discusses the violent crimes of sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking. If you need support, please call: The National Domestic Violence Hotline, RAINN, and Polaris. If you'd like more info about AEquitas visit: https://aequitasresource.org/ or email us at: [email protected]. Follow AEquitas on Instagram @aequitas_resourceFor more information:AEquitas has developed numerous trainings and articles related to the collection, analysis, and admissibility of DNA and forensic evidence and is a proud prosecution partner of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative and many resources we have developed on this topic can be found in the Prosecution Toolkit . Please also visit AEquitasResoure.org, where we have posted additional resources on Advancing Justice Through Forensic Gentic Geneology as well as article analyzing the impact of Williams v. Illinois which was ultimately abrogated by Smith v. Arizona as discussed in our article available here.