Pinay scientist hopes DNA testing proves innocence of wrongfully accused

Over the years, DNA laboratory analysis has either proven the innocence or guilt of those accused of crimes. Hoping to give justice to Filipinos wrongfully accused of crimes, Filipina scientist Dr. Maria Corazon de Ungria is undertaking the "Innocence Project," which pushes for the use of DNA testing in criminal cases. According to a report on the Asian Journal news site on April 12, De Ungria is currently the head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the Natural Sciences Research Institute at the University of the Philipines-Diliman. De Ungria is the Philippine representative to the DNA working group of the Asia Forensic Science Network (ASFN). In 2011, De Ungria was one of two women scientists chosen as the Philippines' first For Women in Science National Fellows, an annual grant given by L'Oréal and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Innocence Project Also in 2011, De Ungria launched The Innocence Project,  "to bring hope to the wrongfully convicted and to empower law enforcement to leverage the power of DNA, in order to give a broader impact on the judicial system." The project is "a network of law school clinics, scientific and academic laboratories and non-governmental organizations that seeks to make justice accessible for wrongfully concicted persons," according to its Facebook site. The Innocence Project at the National Bilibid Prison aims to: • Provide coordinated free legal assistance to persons wrongfully convicted; • Advocate reforms in policies, laws, judicial rules, legal education, and criminal investigative procedures and evidence handling to redress wrongful convictions in the Philippines; • Enhance the capacities of justice stakeholders including judges, prosecutors, lawyers, criminal and forensic investigators, law students, etc. to eradicate or mitigate wrongful convictions in the country; and • Establish an independent and accurate data bank containing all pertinent information on wrongful convictions in the Philippines. Contributions to science On the Asian Journal article, Chris Asplen, a DNA expert said De Ungria “has been one of my favorite speakers to recommend around the world to those looking to implement DNA with limited resources." Asplen is a former Assistant US Attorney and Executive Director of the National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence for the US Department of Justice. Asplen described De Ungria's Innocence Project as a "proof that vision and leadership can drive change in the face of significant systemic and financial limitations." He cited how De Ungria almost single-handedly building the Philippines' DNA forensics database in the late 1990s, which is just one of her many contributions in Philippine science. "Her work has been crucial in enabling the country to conduct DNA analysis for forensic applications. She has played a major role in resolving forensic cases, bringing justice to victims of abuse and heinous crimes, and those who have been wrongfully accused or convicted," the Asian Journal said. Scientific awards Among the many scientific awards de Ungria has received include being named Outstanding Young Scientist in 2003 by the National Academy of Science and Technology, the UP Gawad Hall of Fame for Best Research Extension and Professional Staff (REPS) in Research in 2005, having been recognized for three consecutive years (2002-2004). She was also a recipient of the Gerry Roxas Leadership Award and the Outstanding Young Men Award in 2004, and was also named as one of the Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service in 2007. De Ungria has also been a former Filipino fellow of New York-based Asia Society's Young Leaders program. - Gian C. Geronimo, VVP, GMA News