"An Act relating to the collection of, and the use of reasonable force to collect, a deoxyribonucleic acid sample from persons convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for certain crimes. "

Alaska's DNA database is a tool used by law enforcement to identify perpetrators by matching DNA profiles from individuals convicted of certain offenses to DNA profiles collected from unsolved crime scenes. This bill authorizes the use of reasonable force to collect DNA from those offenders who refuse to provide samples as required by law, and also closes a loophole in the current law that allows individuals convicted of crimes charged under municipal ordinances to escape DNA collection.

Under current state law, it is felony for an offender with a qualifying conviction to refuse to provide a DNA sample. Some of Alaska's most notorious criminals who are serving life sentences are refusing to provide DNA samples, and the threat of being charged with another felony does not matter to them because their sentences will not increase. Law enforcement believes that many of these individuals were involved in criminal activity prior to their convictions, and that entering their DNA profiles could possibly solve additional crimes. Alaska's DNA database currently includes DNA profiles from unsolved crimes that date back to the 1970's.

The current law requires a defendant who is convicted of a crime against a person, or a felony under AS 11 or AS 28.35, to provide a DNA sample. However, if a defendant is convicted of a crime against a person that is charged under a municipal ordinance, the defendant is not required to provide a DNA sample. Eliminating this loophole will treat offenders convicted of crimes against persons equally and will provide additional samples for the database. This will make the database more effective in solving crimes.

I urge your support of Senate Bill 95.

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