GO:0006295:   nucleotide-excision repair, DNA incision, 3"-to lesion
The endonucleolytic cleavage of the damaged strand of DNA 3" to the site of damage. The incision occurs at the junction of single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA that is formed when the DNA duplex is unwound. The incision precedes the incision formed 5" to the site of damage.