Orchid Cellmark's Forensic DNA Testing Services Aid in Exone

作者：杨超月

　　PRINCETON, N.J., July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Nasdaq: ORCH - News), a leading worldwide provider of identity DNA testing services, today announced that DNA analysis at one of the company's forensic laboratories supported the work of the Innocence Project in securing the full exoneration of Byron Halsey, wrongfully convicted of the brutal sexual assault and murders of two young children in New Jersey 22 years ago. Mr. Halsey, who narrowly escaped the death penalty when convicted in 1988, was exonerated based on DNA evidence that proves his innocence and indicates that a man who helped convict Halsey is the actual perpetrator. The DNA analysis was part of a package of pro bono services supplied by Orchid Cellmark to the Innocence Project in New York as a public service.

"It is a privilege for Orchid Cellmark to have the opportunity to contribute our DNA analysis expertise to the untiring work of the Innocence Project in securing justice for wrongfully convicted individuals throughout the nation," said Mark Stolorow, Executive Director of Forensic Science at Orchid Cellmark, who earlier in his career was involved in the first case in the U.S. to use DNA to reverse a conviction. "DNA analysis has been central to many of these cases, and as a pioneer in forensic DNA we are reminded daily of the power of this technology to serve the cause of justice by exonerating the innocent and convicting the guilty. We are particularly pleased to have helped in this case in our home state of New Jersey, exonerating an innocent man wrongfully convicted of horrific crimes against the children he loved."

Halsey's conviction was overturned in May after DNA testing on several key pieces of evidence used to convict Halsey actually indicated the guilt of another man, Cliff Hall, who is already in prison for several other sex crimes in New Jersey and who testified against Halsey during his trial. The District Attorney's office consented to the DNA testing, which was conducted at Orchid Cellmark and in state laboratories. Hall has now been charged with the crimes for which Halsey was wrongfully convicted. As in Halsey's case, DNA in more than 37% of exoneration cases nationwide also helped identify the true perpetrator of the crimes, according to the Innocence Project..

Last year, Orchid Cellmark worked with the Innocence Project in securing the exonerations of a number of individuals who had been wrongfully imprisoned for decades. Orchid Cellmark has also provided forensic DNA analyses in such high profile cases as the OJ Simpson investigation, the JonBenet Ramsey murder, the Gary Ridgway "Green River" serial killer case, and the Unabomber investigation, which eventually resulted in the conviction of Ted Kaczynski.

Orchid Cellmark is one of the oldest and most experienced providers of forensic DNA testing services and it has conducted DNA testing for the FBI and for criminal justice agencies in all 50 U.S. states and hundreds of municipalities, as well as for many law enforcement agencies in the U.K. Orchid Cellmark's U.S-based forensic laboratories have received the prestigious accreditation of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). Orchid Cellmark's U.S.- based laboratories are also accredited by the National Forensic Science Technology Center.

About Orchid Cellmark

Orchid Cellmark is a leading provider of identity DNA testing services for the human identity and agriculture markets. In the human identity area, the company provides DNA testing services for forensic, family relationship and security applications. In the agriculture field, Orchid Cellmark provides DNA testing services for selective trait breeding. Orchid Cellmark's strong market positions in these segments reflect the company's accredited laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis technologies and expertise, and the world-renowned Cellmark brand that has been associated with exceptional quality, reliability and customer service for nearly two decades. More information on Orchid Cellmark can be found at

Contacts Customers: Media: Mark Stolorow Barbara Lindheim Orchid Cellmark Inc. GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners (301) 651-1763 (212) 918-4650

Source: Orchid Cellmark Inc.
　　