WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) issued the following statement today at the full House Judiciary Committee markup of the DNA Technology Act of 2003:
"Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be one of the lead cosponsors of the "Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2003" - landmark legislation that will assist law enforcement in solving crimes and also protect the innocent. I want to thank the Chairman for his tremendous efforts in this area and for placing this important piece of legislation before this committee.
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 1.5 million DNA samples and has yielded thousands of matches in criminal investigations.
As a former federal prosecutor, I recognize what a powerful tool the use of DNA profiles has become in solving crimes. For this reason, I introduced legislation earlier this year to increase the effectiveness of DNA databases in crime solving by expanding the national database. My legislation was also aimed at facilitating information sharing and increasing searching capabilities among local and state law enforcement agencies. I am pleased that many of these policy changes have been included in the legislation before us today.
States have taken the lead by expanding the use of DNA in crime solving efforts. For example, in Virginia these efforts have yielded tremendous results, with forensic officials making over 1,000 "cold hits," finally providing resolution to a number of unsolved crimes. The legislation before us today, makes important changes in federal law in order to replicate these tremendous successes on a nationwide basis.
In addition, this legislation authorizes much-needed funding to eliminate the current backlog of unanalyzed DNA samples in the nation’s crime labs. Finally, the important Innocence Protection provisions will help ensure eligible federal and state inmates access to DNA testing to establish their innocence.
I applaud the tremendous bipartisan and bicameral efforts on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to overwhelmingly support this much-needed legislation."
Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Burbank, Alhambra, Altadena, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.