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POLICY AND FUNDING ISSUES:
Expansion - Ohio and Wisconsin are still considering bills carried over from 2009 for collection from felony arrestees. New bills have been introduced in New York and New Jersey.
Backlog - Backlogs made headlines in Connecticut, Dallas, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, San Diego, and Wisconsin. Congress held a hearing on the backlog, and was supported by editorials.
Funding - New crime labs are seeking funding in Alaska and Glendale (CA). Monroe County (NY) received a federal earmark for backlog reduction. Maryland and Minnesota are using stimulus funding to assist DNA programs. |
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OTHER FORENSIC DNA ISSUES:
Lab re-opens-- New Mexico Department of Public Safety lab has reopened after a shut-down when its accreditation lapsed.
Post Conviction - DNA evidence brings relief to a Georgia man who spent two years in prison for an aggravated assault. Massachusetts may consider post conviction legislation this year. |
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Australia - Victoria Police will no longer be using DNA evidence in court until the lab system is brought up to date.
Bulgaria - DNA may be key evidence in identifying a kidnapping gang New Zealand - A database match brought guilty plea in a 2001 murder case; on database for theft of salami roll).
Portugal - Database is not being utilized. South Africa - Database may be established by legislature, and outsourcing of DNA cases is under consideration
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