DNA Resource.com
September 2008 Report
News and Legislative updates for anyone seeking the latest information on forensic DNA policy and practice
 
 
SEPTEMBER
FEATURES
 
 
ARRESTEE TESTING PROPOSALS
Proposals for expanded DNA databases are gearing up for 2009 Legislative Sessions
 
 
GEORGIA: 1000th DNA MATCH
Solves 1987 Rape
 
 
VIRGINIA: 5000TH DNA MATCH
Identified female serial burglar
 
 
ZODIAC KILLER SUSPECT FBI to Test DNA of Possible Suspect
 
 
 
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The summary for the September 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:

1981 murder arrest due to DNA from eating utensils (Illinois).
DNA from steering wheel solves hit and run (Missouri).
Robber sentenced due to DNA match of victim's pocketbook in suspect's possession (Maryland).
DNA collected from sweaty boots solves burglary (United Kingdom).
DNA from a handgun linked a man to multiple rapes (New York). 

COLD HITS BRING:

● Arkansas - Arrest in 2005 murder (on database for battery)
● California - Identifies serial murder (on database for murder), solves stabbing
● Colorado - Charges in 1997 murder (on database for burglary)
● Connecticut - Arrest of copper thief (collected from cigarette butt), identifies rapist
● Georgia - Charges in rape (on database for burglary) 
● Illinois - 100+ year sentence for serial rapist (on database for misdemeanor charges)
● Louisiana - Arrest in beating death
● Michigan - Solves 1970 murder and identifies rapist (on database for domestic violence)
● Missouri -  Arrest in 2001 rape and identifies rapist (both on database for rape)
● New Jersey - Identifies burglar (collected from t-shirt) 
● Ohio - 44-year sentence for rape (on database for assault) and linked unrelated rape and murder cases
● Oklahoma - Sentencing for 1996 rape and unrelated murder
● Pennsylvania - Solves sex attack (on database for burglary), solves rape, and identifies burglar (collected from blood on broken glass)
● South Carolina - Solves 2006 murder (on database for rape), links man to restaurant burglary (on Virginia database for breaking into police cruiser)
● Utah - Life sentence for 1982 murder (on database for unrelated murder)
● Virginia - Identifies suspect in 1975 murder, links man to two murders (on database for murder)
● Wisconsin - Identifies copper thief (on database for burglary) and rapist (on Illinois database for battery).

POLICY AND FUNDING ISSUES:

Expansion - Kentucky has begun collecting samples from ALL convicted felons. News on legislative proposals for 2009 databse expansion made news in Virginia, Vermont, Connecticut and Colorado.
Backlog -Idaho state crime labs are backlogged and receiving less than half of requested funding.
Funding - As part of budget cuts, Georgia plans to shutdown two crime labs, and Arizon is back-billing for forensic services supplied to local jurisdiction.

OTHER FORENSIC DNA ISSUES:  

Post Conviction- Inmates in Texas and Ohio exonerated by DNA. The NACDL wanted Virginia to notify inmates that DNA from old case files will be analyzed.
Preservation - Most states lack requirements to preserve DNA.
Successes - Federal, state, and local crime labs received evidence from 2.7 million cases in 2005. California Forensic Sciences Laboratory was granted accreditation. 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:  Malaysia is debating a DNA database bill.
●  United Kingdom - A cold hit led to a 10-year sentence for rapist (on database for shoplifting) and teenage car thief (on database for burglary). DNA confirmed arrest in stabbing murder (collected from roof of vehicle) and identified bakery burglar (on database for multiple offenses).
●  Australia - DNA links serial rapist to two additional rapes.