Schiff Amendment to Expand and Improve the Use Of DNA Analysis in Criminal Investigations Passes House Judiciary Committee as Part Of DOJ
Re-Authorization Bill
WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Representative Adam Schiff’s (D-CA) effort to expand and improve the use of DNA analysis in criminal investigations across the country advanced as part of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Reauthorization bill today in the House Judiciary Committee. In the full committee meeting, Rep. Schiff drew on his experience as a former federal prosecutor and spoke of the many benefits of expanding a national database of DNA evidence. Schiff introduced similar legislation earlier this spring - the DNA Database Enhancement Act - to increase the scope and use of DNA analysis.
"As a former federal prosecutor, I recognize what a powerful tool the use of DNA has become in solving crimes," Rep. Schiff said. "My amendment to the DOJ Reauthorization Bill will enable law enforcement agents from around the country to more effectively compare and match DNA samples with the national database. Each day we wait to enact this legislation, we are missing crucial opportunities to take criminals off the street and solve unsolved crimes."
"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," Rep. Schiff added.
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 amendment would make significant improvements to this valuable law enforcement database.
Specifically, Schiff's amendment 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) -- the national DNA database -- 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 DOJ Reauthorization Bill now awaits final passage by the full House of Representatives.
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.