DNA Resource.com
June 2009 Report
News and Legislative updates for anyone seeking the latest information on forensic DNA policy and practice
 
JUNE
FEATURES
 
 
4 MORE STATES PASSS ARRESTEE DNA LAWS
A total of 21 States have passed laws to require DNA prior to conviction 
COLORADO
MISSOURI
 
 
 FEDERAL COURT UPHOLDS ARRESTEE LAW
 
 
 US SUPREME COURT: NO RIGHT TO POST CONVICTION DNA TESTS
 
 
TEXAS TO PUT DNA MATCH INFO ON CRIMINAL RECORD
In limited circumstances
 
 
UK ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR SAMPLE RETENTION 
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The summary for the June 2009 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:

Bank robber identified from discarded bandaid (New York).

DNA on Baseball bat is key in murder trial (Colorado)
A discarded beer bottle identified a robber (Ohio)
 

DNA EVIDENCE AND COLD HITS BRING:

● Arizona - rape conviction (2001, on database for forgery) 
● California - serial killer identified (on database for sex offense, up to 30 murders); teen convicted of rape 
●  Colorado- murder trial (1997 case, on Wyoming database for attempted kidnapping)
● Florida - two rape/robberies
● Kentucky- serial rapist arrest (at least 5 rapes); murder arrest (1992 case)
● Kansas - murder trial (1991 case)
● Massachusetts-murder conviction (1990 case)
● New York- burglary conviction (on database for burglary)
● Ohio- robbery indictment (on database for robbery) 

POLICY AND FUNDING ISSUES:

Expansion - Bills to require DNA for certain felony arrests were passed in Alabama, Colorado, Florida and Missouri.  Texas closed a loophole which missed felons sentenced to probation, and a new Oklahoma law includes certain misdemeanor convictions on the database, plus any illegal immigrant who is arrested.  
Backlog - Alabama is making progress on its DNA backlog.  Illinois jurisdictions may not be submitting rape kits for analysis.  Arkansas lab to draft policy for prioritizing backlogged cases.
Funding - A federal grant helps to establish cold case squads in Kansas. 

OTHER FORENSIC DNA ISSUES:  

●  Statute of Limitations - Bills to extend the statute of limitations have passed in Arkansas, Oregon and Utah (See Tracking List). A California bill would implement the Sex Assault Victims DNA Bill of Rights (See Tracking List of Miscellaneous DNA Legislation) 
● Exonerations - Dallas County (Texas) makes 20th exoneration.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: 

All Australian states are now connected to the national DNA database. Australian labs are using robotics to speed DNA testing.  New Zealand's Parliament is considering legislation to collect DNA for all criminal charges, and Canada is considering a bill to collect DNA from all convicted sex offenders.  Guatemala has opened a DNA lab to help solve war crimes.
●  Africa - Paternity DNA tests are central in a statutory rape case (victim is 10 years old). 
●  Australia- Rapist pleads guilty after database match in 1989 case.  Serial rapist identified for crimes in early 1990's.
●  Japan -- Post conviction DNA testing frees a man after 17 years incarceration.
●  United Kingdom - DNA helps arrest in 1985 murder of teen.