Whack v. State

DNA is a powerful evidentiary tool and its importance in the courtroom cannot be overstated. See Maryland v. King, — U.S. -, 133 S.Ct. 1958, 1966, 186 L.Ed.2d 1 (2013) (observing that DNA technology is “one of the most significant scientific advancements of our era” and its usefulness in the criminal justice system is “undisputed”). DNA evidence can place a defendant at the scene of a crime, providing a firm scientific foundation for a prosecutor’s case, particularly when other evidence may be lacking. Not surprisingly, jurors place a great deal of trust in the accuracy and reliability of DNA…