Lately science has been a big role in helping solve crimes, crimes that years ago could not be solved with the resources that were available. Now with the technology we can solve crimes from the past, such as who was Jack the Ripper, now some believe they know who he was through using DNA research. DNA research has also helped clear people that have been convicted of crimes that they didn't commit.
In Annapolis, Maryland, Kirk Bloodsworth was sent to prison for the murder of a 9 year old girl. He was twice convicted of the girl's death and was sentence to death. After struggling for years to prove his innocence he was finally released and cleared of the crime in 1993, he became the first American freed from prison because of DNA evidence.
While Bloodsworth was in prison he worked as the librarian and he delivered books to fellow inmates. One of these inmates he became friends with, his name was Kimberly Shay Ruffner. The two men regularly worked out with each other in the weight yard. Ruffner was in prison at the same time as Bloodsworth for attempted rape and attempted murder. Bloodsworth often talked to Ruffner when he would deliver him his books in his cell, he remembered Ruffner as a quiet man who would keep to himself.
On Friday, September 6, 2003, Ruffner was charged for the murder of the 9 year old girl, Dawn Venice Hamilton, the same girl that Bloodsworth was convicted of murdering 19 years ago. Ruffner was charged using DNA evidence that was found from a semen stain on the victim's panties. The same evidence that cleared Kirk Bloodsworth from the conviction in 1993. .
My opinion is that it is great that we are using this new technology to solve crimes. This new way of solving crime is great because it is a more accurate way to find murder suspects, rape suspects and other criminals that years ago we wouldn't even think that we could catch. Not only does DNA evidence find criminals it also finds victims, all you need is a piece of hair and you can find out who a person was.
