Hi, thnoppson.  Like your post ... until your final statement, "nothing but good will come of this."

Not necessarily so. There are always "unintended" consequences of an action.  In hindsight, many shake their heads and murmur, "what were they thinking??"  Ans: exactly as you think: "nothing but good will come of this."

Until, in an "unspoken" understanding that the police have to keep "unfounded" numbers unrealistically low ("unrealistic" meaning, there's no way to get a conviction in this case.) So, let's spell it out: 
1. Case goes to trial, alleged rape victim is put through a hugely public psychological ordeal...and loses. Where's the good there?

2. Case goes to trial, miracle! A conviction!   The accused goes to prison. Loses family, job, self-respect.  Through oversights at the jail (including failed surveillance technology), commits suicide.  THEN the mix-up at the DNA lab is discovered...  and the "good" in this case would be...?