"An Act relating to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) identification registration system and testing; and providing for an effective date."

SCS CS HB 49(JUD) will expand the Alaska State Database of DNA samples to include all persons convicted of a crime against a person or any felony under Alaska's criminal code. It would also require the collection of DNA samples from those juveniles adjudicated as a delinquent for these same offenses. Additionally, SCS CS HB 49(JUD) makes provisions for volunteer and anonymous donations. Persons required to register as sex offenders are also required to submit DNA into the database. Further, SCS CS HB 49(JUD) will require all those offenders and minors currently incarcerated or on State supervised parole for felony convictions or certain sexual misdemeanor offenses to provide samples to the Department of Public Safety.

Expanding the state databases to include all convicted offenders would have several benefits:

1. Solves Crimes - DNA collection from all convicted felons, rather than just sex offenders and perpetrators of serious violent crimes, would result in an increase in the amount of violent crimes solved. Therefore, offenders who are required to submit DNA when convicted of non-violent felonies will be identified as they leave DNA behind at a rape and murder scenes.
2. Prevents Crimes - Solving a crime -- and solving it quickly -- has a direct effect on preventing additional crimes by the same perpetrator. An offender who is not apprehended in a timely manner remains free to commit more crimes.
3. Exonerates the Innocent - Increasing the DNA database to those convicted of non violent offenses would reduce the occurrence of innocent people who are wrongly suspected, arrested and convicted of crimes they did not commit. Two common scenarios exemplify how a larger DNA database protects such innocent people, one where the guilty party is in the database, and secondly, where the innocent party is in the database.
4. Increases Cost Efficiencies - According to a study completed by the National Institute of Justice (U.S. Department of Justice) rape is the costliest crime in America with victim costs totaling $127 billion. The study estimated that when all factors are considered the estimated cost of rape per victim is $87,000. If the average rapist commits eight rapes, but a DNA databank stops the offender half way through his spree, then four rapes are prevented at a savings of $348,000.

I urge your support for this legislation.

Last Updated: 05/09/2003 - 23-LS0132\U

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