[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 58 (Thursday, April 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF THE DNA DATABASE ENHANCEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2003

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the DNA Database 
Enhancement Act--legislation that will expand and improve the use of 
DNA analysis in criminal investigations.
  As a former federal prosecutor, I recognize what a powerful tool the 
use of DNA profiles has become in solving crimes. 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 1.3 million DNA samples and has yielded 
more than 6,000 matches in criminal investigations.
  Previously, federal law required that a state collect for analysis 
DNA samples from persons convicted of a felony of a sexual nature. 
However, the collection of samples from other felons is currently 
dependent entirely upon state law. The DNA Database Enhancement Act 
would broaden this collection requirement to include all individuals 
convicted of violent felonies.
  In order to facilitate crime solving and information sharing among 
local and state law enforcement agencies, my bill would also expand 
CODIS by permitting states to upload collected DNA samples to the 
national database. In Virginia, law enforcement is authorized to 
collect DNA samples from suspects being charged with violent crimes and 
other felonies. This has yielded tremendous results, with forensic 
officials making their 1,000th ``cold hit'' last year by matching a 
rape suspect to a 2001 sexual assault case.
  Finally, this legislation will increase the effectiveness of DNA 
databases in crime solving by ensuring that law enforcement can compare 
DNA samples with CODIS. While most states already run comparisons on 
collected samples, some states have restrictions on how and when 
samples can be compared. This bill will increase the effectiveness of 
DNA databases in crime solving by removing restrictions that impede the 
comparison of DNA samples against established DNA databases. Where DNA 
is given voluntarily or obtained by law enforcement in a lawful manner, 
law enforcement should be able to compare those samples with CODIS.
  Recently, the Department of Justice announced a proposal to spend 
more than $1 billion over the next five years on DNA analysis in 
criminal cases. This plan, originally introduced in the 
Administration's 2004 budget proposal, involves a significant expansion 
of the FBI's DNA database. The FBI has also announced plans to request 
authorization to obtain pre-conviction DNA samples from states that 
currently collect such samples, such as Virginia, Louisiana, and Texas. 
These joint proposals would dramatically improve the ability to match 
samples recovered at crime scenes.
  With similar goals in mind, my legislation, the DNA Database 
Enhancement Act, will make important changes to ensure that law 
enforcement can fully utilize the powerful tool of DNA analysis in 
solving crimes.

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