DNA database expansion legislation has moved forward in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Texas. The New York Supreme Court has upheld the state's offender DNA database statute.
Legislation was introduced in Illinois for a review of the procedures and resources available to the DNA section of the state crime lab. Numerous articles covered the problem of DNA backlogs at state crime labs and reported that the lack of adequate funding is the main cause—congressional testimony on this issue can found at
<http://www.senate.gov/~judiciary/hr051501f2.htm>
. A US House panel has asked the Department of Justice for an accounting of the current backlog.
Bills to extend the statute of limitations are progressing in New Jersey. 60 Minutes ran a segment on “DNA dragnetting” in the US.
Post conviction DNA legislation was considered in Ohio, and a review in California shows that very few inmates are making use of the state's post conviction law. Many articles are calling for greater scrutiny of crime lab work, due to the recent exposure of flawed (some say falsified) work by an Oklahoma lab technician that resulted in a conviction.
Czech police want to establish an offender DNA database. An Australian judge has denied an appeal by prisoners challenging a liberal interpretation of the national offender DNA database law.
About This Report:
Tim Schellberg and Lisa Hurst of Smith Alling Lane, P.S. provide nationwide governmental affair services to Applied Biosystems. As part of the firm’s representation weekly reports are generated which identify recent state and federal legislation and news articles. Applied Biosystems has authorized Smith Alling Lane to make these reports available to anyone that requests them through this web site.
The information presented in these reports does not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Applied Biosystems, Smith Alling Lane, P.S., or The Forensic Panel.
This DNA legislative and media summary has been posted on the Internet at the link at the bottom of this article. Archived summaries may also be obtained at this site.
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