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Committee green-lights limited review of cases tied to forensic scientist Mary Jane Burton
Summary
The committee agreed to a substitute limiting a proposed review of cases involving forensic scientist Mary Jane Burton to currently incarcerated individuals, producing a sample of roughly 66 cases for further analysis.
The committee on Feb. 14 approved a substitute narrowing a proposal to review forensic work by Mary Jane Burton, a former forensic scientist at the Department of Forensic Science. The substitute limits the panel’s review to cases in which individuals are currently incarcerated.
Why it matters: Committee members and staff said recent reporting raised questions about ‘‘significant anomalies’’ in Burton’s serology reports dating to the 1970s–1980s. The limited review is intended to create a sample dataset and identify cases that may merit testing or further action, according to staff.
Senator Selville introduced the item and asked the committee to authorize the Virginia Crime Commission to convene a work group to review ‘‘Mary Jane Burton files’’ and related forensic evidence. Committee staff member Katie described the committee substitute as limiting the review to individuals who remain incarcerated, producing what she estimated to be about 66 individuals for the initial review.
Senator Selville moved the committee substitute; the motion was agreed to and the committee reported the bill as amended. The transcript records the committee vote on the reported substitute as Ayes 15, Noes 0.
Ending: The substitute confines the initial review to currently incarcerated individuals to create a manageable sample for testing and pattern analysis; staff told the committee that work would begin with that set of cases.
