As we read the updates from the incident where lacrosse players from Duke University allegedly raped an exotic dancer, it is interesting to note that there may be a LOT more to the story than we were initially told. Of the 46 players tested, it seems, there was NO DNA evidence found on the stripper matching ANY of them.

In an interesting twist, the district attorney, who seems to be so dependent on DNA results to obtain a conviction, refuses to accept the absence of DNA evidence as proof of the players' innocence. He insists they will proceed with the investigation, although no charges have yet been filed.

Duke University and its lacrosse program have paid a terrible price for what may be untrue allegations. The lacrosse team's season was cancelled, the coach lost his job, and, quite possibly his career, on the altar of political correctness that will presume guilt until innocence is proven when certain allegations are presented. The players will carry the stain of suspicion with them through their lives, and the name of a distinguished university has been dragged through the mud.

If the allegations are proven to be false, it is unlikely the exotic dancer will face severe criminal penalty. Even if she does, her trial will quickly fade into the woodwork, as opposed to the Court TV spectacle we could expect if the players were to go to trial. While our laws against false allegations were written with the best of intentions; namely, to encourage victims to report crimes rather than fear retribution, they have unfortunately been exploited by those who would profit off of others by launching malicious allegations. Another blogger compared this to the now infamous Tawana Brawley case, and this may, indeed, be an apt comparison.

I have long stated that in an investigation the name of the accused should be protected as well as the name of the accuser. While the accuser has a certain right to privacy, so should the accused, until a criminal finding of guilt changes that status. The damage to these Duke students, the coach, and the university, is irreparable, but could have been avoided had the identities of the accused been protected with as much zeal as that of the exotic dancer who launched the accusations.