Law Enforcement Pushes Dna Plan Bill Establishing Database Would Bring State Up To National Standard
The state Legislature may give law enforcement a new crook-catching tool.
A proposed law would establish a DNA database in Idaho that would include samples from convicted violent criminals and sex offenders.
The bill would bring Idaho up to date with the federal government’s CODIS Combined DNA Information System program and with 43 other states. The legislation also would allow Idaho to collect money from the federal government.
Federal grants would give Idaho $225,000 a year to help pay for the program. This year, Idaho would have to come up with nearly $100,000 in start-up fees.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic marker found in individuals’ blood and tissue. It can be found in anything from a piece of skin to a single hair. DNA tests have shown themselves to be 99 percent effective in identifying subjects.
“It represents a quantum leap in law enforcement and the judicial system to identify or exonerate people accused in crimes,” said Ann Thompson, spokesperson for the Department of Law Enforcement. It’ll have the same impact as fingerprinting did when it came into practice, she said.
If the bill passes, DNA identification tests would be imposed on those found guilty of felony charges ranging from arson to rape. Also, all Idaho prisoners, parolees and those on probation who had been convicted for violent or sexual crimes would be required to make themselves available for DNA testing.
The identification records would then go to state and federal databases and could then be used to help find criminal suspects.
The database records also will be confidential. Only law enforcement entities will be allowed access to them.
Sometimes DNA is the only evidence left at the crime scene, said Thompson, but without a database there is no way to use the information.
Through this legislation, DNA samples could be used to sustain probable cause for the arrest of a suspect as well as link suspects to any crime or series of crimes that previously went unsolved.
“If the DNA is in the database, blammo, you have a suspect,” she said.
The legislation also allows for the genetic markers to be used as trial evidence.
If passed, the legislation will take effect July 1.
, DataTimes