DNAResource Report
News and Legislative updates for anyone seeking the latest information on forensic DNA policy and practice July 2007
Quick Links
 
 
 
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JULY FEATURES
FEDERAL RESOURCES:
US DEPT. OF JUSTICE
makes available through DNA.gov
 
Regional Cold Case Training
Next Session: 9/17 & 18 in Scottsdale, Arizona  
 
DNA: A Prosecutor's Practice Notebook (online training for prosecutors)
CLICK HERE
 
Hair Evaluation for DNA Analysis (course for forensic scientists)
 
 
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Interested in global DNA issues?  We are slowly populating and updating our Global page to include more information. 
 
If you have materials of interest to the global community you would like to share, please contact Lisa at report@dnaresource.com
 
 
 
 
 
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The summary for the July 2007 DNA Resource Report is listed below.  Details on these and other forensic DNA news items can be found in the full report which is posted at www.dnaresource.com.

LAW ENFORCEMENT:  Investigations and prosecutions aided by DNA evidence include: 
  • Arizona - DNA links Baselink Killer to sexual assaults;
  • California -cold hits identified a 1976 murderer; and brought a life sentence in a 1993 murder;
  • Florida - DNA identifies a murderer (1986 case); and a a gang rape suspect (DNA on condom);
  • Idaho - DNA releases a rape suspect when no match is found (after three weeks in jail);
  • Illinois - DNA evidence identifies a bank robber (discarded straw); links a third victim to a suspected rapist; and identifies another rapist;
  • Massachusetts - DNA evidence connects a New Jersey man to serial rapes;
  • Michigan - DNA helps to convict a man of rape and robbery (DNA on shirt used to bind victim);
  • Mississippi - paternity tests convict a child rapist;
  • Montana - a cold hit identified a man in a Texas murder (on database for burglary)
  • Nevada - DNA evidence helped to convict a child molester;
  • New York - DNA evidence helps to convict the "Bike Path Rapist"; and links Georgia's "Stocking Strangler" to a 1974 New York murder.
  • Ohio - DNA tests confirm a mother's identity in an abandoned infant case;
  • Texas -cold hit identified 1982 murderer; and aided the arrest of quadruple murder suspects.
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    POLICY AND FUNDING ISSUES:

    Policy - A Washington Post editorial supports all arrestee DNA testing for Maryland, and a New York editorial supports an criminal convictions (including misdemeanants) DNA testing for that state.  Connecticut passed a law eliminating the statute of limitations for rape when DNA evidence is available.

     

    Backlogs - Maryland as significantly reduced its DNA backlog (through outsourcing) and is seeing an increase in database hits.  A review of Massachusetts' lab identified numerous untested DNA samples. The same report recommended a doubling in DNA staff for the lab.

     

    Legal Issues -- A Wisconsin judge is considering whether to admit DNA tests on dog hairs which could link a suspect to a murder. 

     OTHER FORENSIC DNA ISSUES: Independent review of criminal cases found that DNA could have prevented wrongful conviction in New York case.  An Arizona DNA analyst is singled-out for praise by a local prosecutor.

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS: A New Zealand case hinges on Y-STR testing.  An Australian state may expand police authority to demand DNA samples from arrested persons.

    • Australia - DNA from designer shoes connects man to drug lab;
    • England - DNA retrieved from a discarded soda can identified a burglar;
    • Kuwait - Child molester caught by DNA evidence;
    • Scotland - A missing child's DNA is found at a known murderer's house.