DNA Resource.com
May 2008 Report
News and Legislative updates for anyone seeking the latest information on forensic DNA policy and practice
 
 
MAY
FEATURES
 
Federal Rules on Arrestee and Detainee DNA Collection Published
 
Kentucky passes law for all convicted felons (46th state)
 
 
Georgia Suspect DNA Law is Signed 
 
 
California Creates
Familial Searching Policy
 
 
McDonalds in UK to use swab kits for spit attacks
 
 
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The summary for the May 2008 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:

 
DNA CASES OF NOTE:

Robber identified from baseball hat (New York).

DNA on a bandana identifies a sex assault suspect (New Jersey).

DNA from chewing gum is critical at a rape trial (New York). 

Rapist identified from DNA on discarded shotgun shell belt (Texas). 
Runny nose identifies a car thief (England).
 

COLD HITS BRING:

●     California - Cold hits solved two murders (one with Washington State).  DNA clears illegal immigrant of rape.
·        Connecticut - A cold hit identified murderer (on database for bank robbery).
·        Florida - A cold hit identified a home invader.
·        Illinois - DNA led to a conviction in armed robbery (collected from cigarette).
·        Maryland - A cold hit led to sentencing for rape (on database for rape, kidnapping, & battery).
·        Massachusetts - A cold hit solved 1984 murder (on database for sexual assault).
·        Minnesota - Cold hits identified a murderer (on database for drunk driving); and two sex assualt suspects (one a match with Texas offender).
·        Missouri - DNA led to a confession in nine murders. A cold hit led to a guilty plea in 1985 murder (on database for burglary).
·        New York - Cold hits led to an arrest for 1980 homicide (on database for sexual assault), sentencing for rape (on database for drug-related crime), and a guilty plea for rape (on database for car theft).
·        North Dakota - A cold hit led to guilty plea in rape (on database for attempted sexual assault).
·        Ohio - A cold hit led to an arrest in 1991 murder (match with North Carolina). DNA secured a conviction in 1985 murder.
·        Oregon - A cold hit led to a conviction in 1971 murder (on California database).
·        Pennsylvania - Cold hits led to charges in rape and murder cases. DNA identified burglar (collected from wooden chair leg). DNA connected four different rapes.
·        Washington - DNA from fingernail scrapings identified murder suspect.
·        Wisconsin - DNA identified the man who raped two students. 

POLICY AND FUNDING ISSUES:

Expansion - FBI rules for arrestee and detainee DNA collection have been posted.  Mothers of murdered children advocated for arrestee collection. Kentucky passed a bill to require DNA from all convicted felons.  New York work on all convicted misdemeanors continues, as does a more limited misdemeanor bill in Oklahoma.  Missouri legislation requires DNA from all registered sex offenders (regardless of conviction date).   

Funding - Maryland budget includes $1 million to expand DNA collection. In Texas, the Dallas County Commissioners approved $830,000 for post convictgion review. An Ohio town hopes to receive $100,000 in federal funds for DNA review of unsolved crimes.

LEGAL:

The Vermont Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of requiring DNA from convicted offenders, and the Minnesota Supreme Court is considering the matter.  The California Supreme Court is considering a case regarding calculations of random match probabilities on the DNA database (LA Times article, People v. Nelson) 

OTHER FORENSIC DNA ISSUES:

·   Post-conviction - Michigan, Louisiana, and Florida are considering legislation to compensate exonerated prisoners. DNA exonerates wrongly convicted prisoners in Michigan, Virginia, New York, and Georgia. Ohio is testing DNA for 30 inmates to prove innocence. 

·        Colorado legislation would allow a new trial for cases where DNA was lost or destroyed.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: 

The United Kingdom is collecting DNA from law enforcement officials.  An Australian territory is reviewing and may expand its database program.

 

·        United Kingdom -  A match to a female relative identifies a rapist in 1989 case. DNA secured conviction against a rapist and murderer. A cold hit identified a murderer (on database for rape & assault arrest)

·        New Zealand - DNA exonerated a man in prison for rape.