A key element of a groundbreaking DNA project aimed at clearing wrongly convicted persons was resolved by a sharply divided Virginia Board of Forensic Science today.

In a 4-4 vote broken by the chairman, the board decided against using volunteer lawyers to locate and notify people that biological material had been discovered in old forensic case files that may be suitable for DNA testing, or has already been tested.

Instead, the board voted 7-3 to notify the persons -- convicted of serious crimes from 1973 through 1988 -- by certified mail.

The letter will give the recipient contact information for the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, which can then put them in touch with a volunteer should they want legal advice.