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Columbus Crime Lab Mistake Could Affect 38 Cases
By: Associated Press
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Officials say that at least 38 closed cases at a central Ohio crime lab could be affected by a DNA-related mistake.
The prosecutor in Franklin County said this week that his office likely will notify the attorneys for the 38 defendants in closed cases that the outcome could be affected. One convicted felon has already asked for a new trial based on the mistake at the Columbus police crime lab.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that the problem involves DNA reports that were submitted for criminal cases but were missing the statistical weight, which shows the probability that the DNA belongs to a certain person.
Police Chief Kim Jacobs reported the omission in March and said that 3,000 reports from July 2009 to last October would be reviewed.