State to collect DNA of all felons

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- An impending expansion of Missouri's DNA database to include all felony offenders will greatly enhance the ability of law enforcement to solve crimes in which DNA evidence is collected, supporters of the effort say.

Currently, the Missouri State Highway Patrol only collects DNA samples from those convicted of violent felonies or sexually oriented crimes. Under legislation Gov. Bob Holden is scheduled to sign into law Thursday in Kansas City, the DNA profiles of those convicted of any felony will be permanently added to the statewide database.

Bill Marbaker, the assistant director of the patrol's Jefferson City crime lab, said the expanded database will assist the patrol in catching repeat offenders.

"This is really going to help us in solving crimes involving people who are serial killers and serial rapists," Marbaker said. "What we have found out is the most seriously violent criminals start out as nonviolent felons."

Since it was established about a decade ago, the database has grown to include some 26,000 DNA profiles, with an average of 2,300 felons added to the system annually.

Marbaker estimates about 30,000 new profiles will be added each year once the system is fully implemented. That figure doesn't include the approximately 70,000 nonviolent felony offenders currently in prison or on probation or parole who will also be required to submit DNA samples once the funds become available to do so.

'Snowball going downhill'

To date, Missouri's DNA database has linked about 70 prior felons to other crimes. Marbaker said other states have experienced even greater success as their tracking systems have expanded.

"The hits happen with more and more frequency as the database gets bigger," Marbaker said. "It is like a snowball going downhill picking up speed."

The patrol currently collects blood samples from offenders. Under the bill, a less expensive and less invasive method by which an offender's cheek is swabbed for saliva and cells will be used.

Marbaker said expanded testing will cost the state about $1.7 million a year for the first few years.

The effort will be funded by court surcharges in criminal cases. Those guilty of felonies will pay a $30 fee, while misdemeanor offenders will pay a $15 fee.

House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, handled the bill in the lower chamber. Crowell said he was initially uncomfortable with the high surcharges but became convinced a more comprehensive DNA database will be a strong tool for law enforcement.

"Criminals themselves will pay for the very fees that will be used to catch future criminals," Crowell said.

The fee provision is slated to expire on Aug. 28, 2006, by which time Crowell hopes the federal government will begin paying for the tests. If that doesn't occur, the legislature could renew the fees.

The fees will begin to be assessed once the law takes effect Aug. 28. Actual testing won't start until Jan. 1.

Focus on newly convicted

Department of Corrections spokesman John Fougere said newly convicted offenders will be the initial focus of testing. He said it could take years to work through the backlog of offenders currently in prison, on probation or on parole.

DNA records will not be available to the public and may only be used in criminal investigations.

The bill will also provide compensation to those who are wrongfully convicted but later exonerated by DNA evidence. Such people would be entitled to $50 for each day they spent behind bars.

The bill is SB 1000.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608