Thursday, April 10, 2003 Contact: Sean Oblack (202) 225-4176 Schiff Introduces DNA Database Enhancement Act Congressman urges House Colleagues to expand and improve the use of DNA analysis in criminal investigations WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Adam Schiff introduced legislation this week called the DNA Database Enhancement Act to expand and improve the use of DNA analysis in criminal investigations. "As a former federal prosecutor, I recognize what a powerful tool the use of DNA has become in solving crimes," Rep. Schiff said. "This bill will enable law enforcement agents from around the country to compare and match DNA samples from a national database of convicted violent felons. DNA evidence is perhaps the most powerful tool we have to solve unsolved murder and rape cases. The failure to make effective use of this tool is in itself, criminal." In 1998, the FBI created a system of DNA profile indexes, the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), to allow participating forensic laboratories to compare DNA profiles with the goal of matching case evidence to other previously unrelated cases or to persons already convicted of specific crimes. This database contains about 1.3 million DNA samples and has yielded more than 6,000 matches in criminal investigations. Schiff's legislation would make significant improvements to this valuable law enforcement database. Specifically, the DNA Database Enhancement Act would: 1. Expand collection of DNA samples to persons convicted of all violent felonies. Currently, federal law only requires that a state collect for analysis DNA samples from persons convicted of a felony of a sexual nature. This provision would amend this to broaden the requirement to include all individuals convicted of violent felonies. 2. Expand Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) by allowing states to upload pre-conviction samples. In Virginia, law enforcement is authorized to collect DNA samples from suspects being charged with violent crimes and other felonies. The uploading of these samples to the state’s database has yielded tremendous results, with forensic officials making their 1,000th "cold hit" last year by matching a rape suspect to a 2001 sexual assault case. This provision would facilitate crime solving and information sharing among local and state law enforcement agencies, by permitting states to upload collected DNA samples to the national database. 3. Ensure that law enforcement can compare DNA samples with CODIS. While most states already run comparisons on collected samples, some states have restrictions on how and when samples can be compared. This bill will increase the effectiveness of DNA databases in crime solving by removing restrictions that impede the comparison of DNA samples against established DNA databases. Where DNA is given voluntarily or obtained by law enforcement in a lawful manner, law enforcement should be able to compare those samples with CODIS.   The DNA Database Enhancement Act is also sponsored by Reps. Martin Frost (D-TX) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX). Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.