DNA Diagnostics Center’s Forensics Division provided the DNA testing that eventually resulted in the release of inmate Robert McClendon. McClendon had spent 18 years in prison, convicted of a child rape that he has always maintained he did not commit.

McClendon’s is 1 of 30 cases in Ohio that were identified to have “legitimate claims of innocence” in an investigation conducted by The Columbus Dispatch together with the Ohio Innocence Project (OIP). DDC has volunteered to provide DNA testing for the OIP's post-conviction cases free of charge.

Photo by Shari Lewis / The Columbus Dispatch

A 5-day series in The Columbus Dispatch published in January examined Ohio’s criminal justice system and its ability to use DNA evidence for possible exoneration of wrongfully convicted inmates. With the help of The Ohio Innocence Project, The Dispatch’s yearlong investigation resulted in a list of 30 cases that it considered prime for DNA testing. DDC is pleased to announce that it will provide the appropriate DNA testing for these inmates in the interest of justice. To read a summary of The Dispatch articles and how DDC plans to help, click below.

A review of the most common questions asked by legal professionals about forensic DNA testing: How much of an evidence sample is needed to obtain DNA results? Are your results compatible with CODIS? How do I interpret a forensic DNA report? This article will answer these questions and help you decide if DNA testing will help your case.