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| N.J. Law Requiring DNA Samples from Criminals May Reduce Backlog |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 06/10/2003 |
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A proposed law that would require anyone convicted of a crime in New Jersey to provide DNA samples may also help reduce a backlog of more than 1,100 criminal cases. The measure creates a $2 surcharge on traffic tickets that is expected to yield $8.2 million a year for the collection of DNA. Officials said some of the money would be used to hire 40 scientists at the state police lab, bringing its staff of 63. The new hires would help process the samples from the backlogged cases, many which are sex offenses that cannot be prosecuted until semen found on the victims is matched to the suspect. While law enforcement agencies must now wait an average of 210 days to have their evidence tested for DNA, officials want that cut to no more than 30 days. ''It's not acceptable for police to wait four or five months to get back DNA when the suspect may be out on the street,'' Thomas Brettell, the lab's director, told The Star-Ledger of Newark for Monday's editions. ''Now we will have the resources to turn these cases around. This is the most exciting time of my career.'' Gov. James E. McGreevey is expected to sign the measure later this month. It was approved May 29 by the state Senate and returned to the Assembly, so lawmakers there could address some minor changes before sending it to the governor's desk. The measure also includes a provision that requires those already in prison or under the supervision of parole or probation officers estimated to be more than 110,000 people to have their DNA collected. The latter group, or about 80,000 people, will have their DNA taken through saliva samples obtained by their probation or parole officers. All the samples will be turned over to the State Police, which will forward them to an outside laboratory for DNA analysis. Once that process is complete, State Police scientists will enter the genetic profiles into an FBI database that compares them to samples collected from crime scenes around the country. ''It's a huge undertaking, but we are going to hit the ground running,'' said Patricia Prezioso, an assistant state attorney general overseeing the DNA effort. ''We have been working on an implementation process, and now it has really stepped into high gear.'' In anticipation of the bill's passage, the Attorney General's Office has put formed a multiagency group that has been holding monthly meetings for the past year. It includes representatives from the Department of Corrections, sheriff's and police chief associations, prosecutors, and probation and parole officials. |
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That law of requiring the DNA samples from the criminals has successfully reduced the crime rate in my city that is London. You will be amazed to read 888sport review about casino. It also helped in solving such cases that were unsolvable before. DNA sample of every criminal has been safely stored in the secure place which is helping in solving many complex cases.