A LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE
A look at the use of DNA fingerprinting as evidence:
1985: Dr. Alec Jeffreys, a British scientist, develops a technique called DNA fingerprinting that makes it possible to identify murderers and rapists from blood samples with virtually no chance of mistake.
1987: Tommy Lee Andrews becomes the first person convicted with DNA fingerprinting of rape, aggravated battery and burglary.
1988: Timothy W. Spencer, 26, is the first defendant in a U.S. serial-murder case to be convicted with DNA fingerprinting evidence used at his trials.
1989: Sammie Scheff, who spent six months in jail on rape charges, was released after DNA tests cleared him.
1992: Ricky Hammond, convicted in March, 1990, of rape despite DNA evidence suggesting that he was innocent, is freed pending a new trial after spending more than two years in jail.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
