DNA Databank Expansion Law
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: August 10, 2012
Governor Andrew Cuomo and the DNA Database Expansion Law recently increased access to DNA testing. Previously the government could only take the DNA of felons. According to our officials, this groundbreaking law will require anyone convicted of a felony or penal law misdemeanor to provide DNA samples. Eyewitness News spoke with an area genetic researcher about the new law. He says the legislation will enhance the effectiveness of the state's criminal justice system.
"This will definitely give us a better understanding or better ability to identify the perpetrators in the crime because we would have a DNA sample on hand for comparison, and it could possibly cut down on crime rates because it makes it that much more difficult to get away with crimes," says Ryan Pfeiffer, Masonic Medical Research Laboratory.
The law will also include expanded access to DNA databank comparisons for certain criminal defendants, allowing alleged criminals to use DNA testing before trial or after a guilty plea to demonstrate their innocence.
"This will definitely give us a better understanding or better ability to identify the perpetrators in the crime because we would have a DNA sample on hand for comparison, and it could possibly cut down on crime rates because it makes it that much more difficult to get away with crimes," says Ryan Pfeiffer, Masonic Medical Research Laboratory.
The law will also include expanded access to DNA databank comparisons for certain criminal defendants, allowing alleged criminals to use DNA testing before trial or after a guilty plea to demonstrate their innocence.
