TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2003
(202) 514-2007
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Fact
Sheet
The President?s
Initiative to Advance Justice Through DNA Technology
Providing
funding and assistance to the criminal justice system so that we can realize the
full potential of DNA technology to solve crime and protect the
innocent.
Understanding the Issue: DNA technology is increasingly vital to ensuring accuracy and fairness in the criminal justice system. DNA can be used to identify criminals with incredible accuracy when biological evidence exists, and DNA can be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons mistakenly accused or convicted of crimes. In order to realize the vast potential of DNA technology, we must improve the current federal and state DNA collection and analysis systems. The President has proposed $232.6 million in federal funding in FY 2004 for his initiative, Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology, and calls for continuing this level of funding for five years ? a total commitment of over $1 billion.
Issue
#1: |
One
of the biggest issues facing the criminal justice system today is the
substantial backlog of unanalyzed DNA samples and biological evidence from crime
scenes, especially in sexual assault and murder cases. DNA
evidence has helped to breathe new life into criminal investigations previously
thought hopeless. For instance,
Kellie Greene was viciously attacked and raped in her apartment in 1994. Forensic experts with the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement were able to retrieve DNA evidence left by the
rapist on Kellie?s clothes. At the
time of her rape, Florida was not processing DNA casework because of funding
issues, and, as a result, DNA evidence in her case sat unanalyzed on a shelf for
more than 3 years. By the time
Florida finally analyzed the evidence and entered it into Florida's local DNA
database, a match was made to the profile of a man who was by then already
serving a 25?year sentence for beating and raping another woman. The attack on the other woman had
occurred just weeks before the attack on Kellie.
? Casework Sample Backlogs: Consist of DNA samples obtained from crime scenes, victims, and suspects in criminal cases. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) estimates that the current backlog of rape and homicide cases ? alone ? is approximately 350,000.
? Convicted Offender Backlogs: Consist of DNA samples obtained from convicted offenders who are incarcerated or under supervision. Currently, 23 states require all convicted felons to provide DNA samples. Preliminary estimates by NIJ place the number of collected, untested convicted offender samples at between 200,000 and 300,000. NIJ also estimates that there are between 500,000 and 1,000,000 convicted offender samples, which are required under law but not yet collected.
? Federal Backlogs: The federal government also faces a high demand for analysis of casework and convicted offender DNA samples. The FBI has a casework backlog of roughly 1,000 cases. The federal government also collects DNA samples from persons convicted of offenses in certain categories, including crimes of violence or terrorism. The FBI currently has a backlog of approximately 18,000 convicted offenders samples whose DNA are required under law.
Solution
#1: Analysis and placement into
the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) of DNA profiles can
dramatically enhance the chances that potential crime victims will be spared the
violence of vicious, repeat offenders.
The initiative calls for $92.9 million in FY 2004
funding to help alleviate the current backlog of DNA samples for the most
serious violent offenses ? rapes, murders, and kidnappings ? and for convicted
offender DNA samples needing testing.
With continued funding over five years, coupled with the other elements
of this initiative, this backlog will be completely
eliminated.
Issue
#2 |
At present, many of our nation?s crime laboratories do not
have the capacity necessary to analyze DNA samples in a timely fashion. Many have limited equipment resources, outdated information
systems, and overwhelming case management demands. As a result, the criminal justice system
as a whole is unable to reap the full benefits of DNA technology.
?
Timely analysis of these
samples can avert tragic results.
For example, in 1995, the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement linked evidence found on a rape-homicide victim to a convicted
rapist?s DNA profile just eight days before he was scheduled for
parole. Had he been released prior
to being linked to the unsolved rape-homicide, he may very well have raped or
murdered again.
Solution #2: The initiative will provide $90.4 million in FY 2004 funding to further automate and improve the infrastructure of federal, state, and local crime labs so they can process DNA cases efficiently and cost-effectively. These infrastructure improvements are critical to preventing future DNA backlogs, and to helping the criminal justice system realize the full potential of DNA technology.
Issue
#3: |
Issue
#4: |
Professionals in the criminal justice system need training
to be able to collect and use DNA evidence to solve crimes, and to be able to
provide support to victims.
?
More effective training
for law enforcement will mean that crucial pieces of evidence do not go
uncollected. Every law enforcement
department throughout the country has unsolved cases that could be solved
through recent advancements in DNA technology. Today, investigators who
understand which evidence may yield a DNA profile can identify a suspect more
quickly and with fewer resources.
?
Evidence invisible to
the naked eye can be the key to solving a residential burglary, sexual assault,
or murder. The saliva on the stamp
of a stalker's threatening letter or the perspiration on a rapist's mask may
hold the key to solving a crime.
Solution #4: In order to
maximize the use of DNA technology, the initiative calls for the Attorney
General to develop training and provide assistance regarding the collection and
use of DNA evidence to the wide variety of professionals involved in the
criminal justice system, including police officers, prosecutors, defense
attorneys, judges, forensic scientists, medical personnel, victim service
providers, and probation and parole officers. The initiative provides
$17.5 million in FY 2004 to fund these efforts.
Issue
#5: |
Individuals who were convicted of crimes before DNA
testing was available should have access to appropriate post-conviction
testing. Since the advent of forensic DNA analysis, a number of
individuals convicted of crimes have been subsequently exonerated through DNA
analysis of crime scene evidence that was not tested at the time of trial.
Solution #5:
To demonstrate support for appropriate post-conviction testing of DNA
evidence, the President?s initiative calls for the creation of a $5 million
grant program to help
states defray the costs of post-conviction DNA testing. In order to receive this funding, state
programs will be required to meet criteria established by the Department of
Justice. These criteria will
require that DNA testing be performed by an accredited forensic laboratory, and
will encourage states to develop plans that ensure prompt DNA testing of persons
who may be wrongly convicted and discourage frivolous testing that may cause
unnecessary expense and needless harm to crime victims.
Issue
#6: |
Families of missing persons who
are presumed dead face tremendous emotional turmoil when they are unable to
learn about the fates of their loved ones.
Solution #6:
The initiative will devote $2 million in FY 2004 to providing education,
training, and additional support to ensure that DNA forensic technology is used
to its full potential to identify human remains to aid in solving missing
persons cases.