Attempts to exonerate individuals are particularly controversial in death penalty cases, especially where new evidence is put forth after the execution has taken place.
Subsequently, DNA evidence was used to exonerate a number of persons either on death row or serving lengthy prison sentences.
As of October 2003[update], the number of states authorizing individuals to request DNA testing on their behalf had increased from two to thirty.
[3] Per February 4, 2014 NPR article, Laura Sullivan cited Samuel Gross, a University of Michigan law professor stating that exonerations were on the rise, and not just because of DNA evidence.
"[5] Wrongful conviction has many social, economic, and psychological consequences for people later exonerated, especially for death row exonerees.