Victim Advocates

DNA evidence is playing a larger role than ever before in criminal cases throughout the country, both to convict the guilty and to exonerate those wrongly accused or convicted. This increased role places greater importance on the ability of victim service providers to understand the potential significance of DNA evidence in their clients' cases.

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Resources

• DNA: Critical Issues for Those Who Work With Victims (DVD)—This 24-minute DVD raises awareness for victim advocates, criminal justice practitioners, and others who work with crime victims about the issues involved for those whose cases involve DNA evidence.
• Identifying Victims Using DNA: A Guide for Families: This 8-page booklet explains the process of identifying remains using DNA analysis. It gives an overview of the process so that surviving family and friends will understand what DNA analysis can and cannot do, describes the sources of DNA that forensic scientists might use, and explains the differences between nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.  Now also available in Spanish.
• Sexual Assault Response Teams: Partnering for Success (April 2006)
  This 7 ½-minute DVD (NCJ 209842) provides a history and context of the multidisciplinary response to sexual assault.
• Office for Victims of Crime