DNAResource Report
News and Legislative updates for anyone seeking the latest information on forensic DNA policy and practice November 2007
 
NOVEMBER FEATURES
 
"Katie's Law" for arrestee DNA testing featured on America's Most Wanted
 
 
 
Women's DNA Initiative (on backlogged Chicago cases)
Final Report Posted
 
 
National Public Radio (NPR)
Series on Forensic DNA
 
 
 
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The summary for the November 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:

**Federal funding announced for Cold Case review grants**
 
·      Connecticut - a cold hit led to an arrest in a pharmacy robbery (on database for drug offense).  
·      Florida - Hit and run driver identified by DNA from skin found underneath a truck.
·      Georgia - a cold hit identified a 1995 murder suspect (on database for theft).
·      Illinois - a cold hit brings an arrest in a 1996 rape and drug-related murder.  DNA evidence led to a murder arrest (2006 case), and was found on duct tape in a 2003 child murder case.
·      Iowa - a cold hit brings a conviction in a 1986 murder (on database for DUI).
·      Louisiana - a cold hit identified a carjacking/robbery suspect (2003 case), and DNA links a man to four rapes in 1992.
·      Massachusetts - DNA on a weapon (crowbar) helps convict a rapist.
·      Michigan
- several murders are being investigated with DNA found on discarded masks.
·      Missouri - a cold hit brought a guilty plea in two rapes (1987; 1995); and DNA evidence links a man charged in multiple rapes. 
·      New Jersey - a cold hit with North Carolina's database brings charges in a rape case (2001 case, on database for burglary).  Post conviction DNA tests exonerate a man in a 1985 murder and now point to another man.
·      New Mexico - a cold hit identified a serial child rapist. 
·      New York -cold hits bring charges in a 1995 rape (on database for robbery), and 2006 rape (on database for auto theft). DNA evidence on a sweatshirt and gloves identifies a suspect in a shooting death, identified a child's murderer (1976 crime), and an elderly woman's murderer (DNA on pillowcase).
·      North Carolina - a cold hit identified a breaking and entering suspect (1998 case).
·      Ohio - cold hits bring a 2004 murder arrest (on database for DUI and assaulting an officer), and a guilty plea in a 1999 rape (on database for abduction). 
·      Pennsylvania - a cold hit with Arkansas brings charges in a home robbery (2003 crime, DNA from cigarette butt and duct tape.
·      Texas - a cold hit with New York identified a murderer (1989 case)
·      Utah - DNA from soil sample brings charges in a 1975 shooting death.
·      Wisconsin -- cold hit leads to a guilty plea in 2 rapes (2006 crimes, on database for drug offenses).

POLICY AND FUNDING ISSUES:

Expansion - Missouri introduced two bills to require DNA for Class A misdemeanor convictions.
Funding - Michigan is considering legislation wrongful conviction compensation in post conviction DNA cases.  Wisconsin's budget includes funding to ensure sexual assault victims will never have to personally pay for forensic exams.

OTHER FORENSIC DNA ISSUES: Florida is considering mandatory collection of DNA from foster children for future identification purposes.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:  Britain's M15 plans to create a DNA database of terrorist suspects. In Canada, a mother pleads for a national DNA database of missing persons.

 

·      Canada - a cold hit identified an ATM robber.  DNA's role is central in a multiple homicide case, including DNA found on electrical tape. 

·      England - a cold hit secured a guilty plea in a beating death.

·      Australia - a cold hit identified a 1995 rape suspect (on database for drunk driving).