DNA Backlog Bill Passes Senate
Legislation intended to make a dent in the backlog of unanalyzed DNA samples in crime labs across the country was approved by the Senate on Thursday. The bill, backed by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del -- who is now running for vice president -- would authorize $775 million in grant money over five years. The grant program was initially authorized in 2004 as part of a larger bill to provide state and local governments with crime-fighting DNA technology.
"Backlogs have seriously impeded the use of DNA testing in solving cases without suspects – and reexamining cases in which there are strong claims of innocence – as labs are required to give priority status to those cases in which a suspect is known,” Leahy said in a statement. “Solely for lack of funding, critical evidence remains untested while rapists and killers remain at large.” The bill now heads to the House for approval.
Categories:
Congress
Join the Discussion
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus