DNA Resource.com
August 2009 Report
News and Legislative updates for anyone seeking the latest information on forensic DNA policy and practice
AUGUST
FEATURES
 
 
Maryland Arrestee DNA Law Nets Pedophile
Man linked by DNA to 4 attacks on children
 
 
 
NC Atty Gen Proposes Arrestee Legislation for 2010
 
 
 
 YOUTH IN EU CHALLENGE TO UK DATABASE ON DATABASE AGAIN
Youth caught with drugs and using threatening behavior 
 
 
 
 SERIAL RAPIST ID'D IN MICHIGAN  
Lab able to expedite DNA analysis despite mounting backlog.
 
  
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The summary for the August 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:

A burglar was identified from a drop of sweat (England) 

DNA on beer can identified an arsonist (Pennsylvania)

A discarded hat points identifies a 1977 mafia murder (FBI) 
CSI TV show prompts victim to scratch rapist for a later DNA identification (Scotland, on database for a DUI offense) 
 

DNA EVIDENCE AND COLD HITS BRING:

● Alabama- rape charges (2008 case, on database for theft conviction)
● Arizona - serial rapist arrested (on database for drug crimes)
● California - rape suspect arrested (2008 case, on database for domestic violence arrest), murder suspect arrested (1986 case)
●  Connecticut - rape suspect arrested (on database for assault)
●  Florida - rape suspect charged (2007 case, on database for robbery)
●  Louisiana - 1974 murder solved (during robbery
●  Minnesota - murder conviction for 1989 case (on database for Ohio murder)
●  Mississippi - rape charges (1990 case)
●  New York - murderer identified (1975 case)
●  Oklahoma - rapist charged (2005 case)
●  Tennessee - rape/murder (1980, on database for rape)
●  Wisconsin - rapist convicted (1997 case, , matched with Missouri database)
●  Washington - pedophile convicted (2002 case)

POLICY AND FUNDING ISSUES:

Expansion - Bills to require DNA for certain felony arrests were passed by the Ohio Senate, and signed into law by Governors in Florida and Missouri.  A Pennsylvania proposal may have hearings soon.  The North Carolina Attorney General will proposa arrestee DNA legislation for 2010.    
Backlog - Utah crime labs are facing budget cuts.
Funding - A federal grant helps to establish cold case squads  

OTHER FORENSIC DNA ISSUES:  


● Exonerations - New legislation for post conviction DNA testing may be introduced in Pennsylvania.  Charges were dismissed againts a Wisconsin man in a 1984 murder caes.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: 

Greece adn South Korea are considering DNA database legislation.  Canada and New Zealand are proposing to add more crimes to the DNA database.  Australian police are collecting "owed" samples for the database.  The Pakistan Supreme Court recommended less use of DNA in rape cases.
●  Japan-- DNA has solved two taxi robberies.
●  United Kingdom - DNA database identified a serial rapist (1992 case, on database for criminal damage), a robber (cigarette butt)