Mark Tyson
October 25, 2003, 06:09 PM
Wider DNA sampling approved
STEVE LeBLANC , Associated Press Writer
10/24/2003
BOSTON -- Everyone convicted of a felony in Massachusetts would be required to submit a DNA sample to the state’s criminal database under a bill approved by the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday.
The House has already approved the bill.
Supporters of the plan say it will help police more quickly identify the guilty before they can commit new crimes. Currently the state only collects DNA samples from those convicted of violent felonies.
Expanding the database will also help investigators rule out suspects whose DNA does not match samples collected at crime scenes, backers said.
"What we are doing now is joining 27 other states ... in giving law enforcement the tool to have all convicted felons put their DNA on a database," said Sen. Cheryl Jacques, D-Needham, the bill’s sponsor.
Critics say the bill, which was approved by the Senate by a 36-1 margin, is too broad and should be limited only to more serious felonies.
During a two-hour debate, senators rejected an amendment designed to exempt some felonies -- including the crimes of stealing poultry or forging railroad tickets -- from the list of crimes covered by the bill.
Sen. Brian A. Joyce, D-Milton, called the amendment a "commonsense exclusion" and a way to protect those not likely to commit violent offenses.
"We forget that we also need to balance the civil liberties of the people we serve," he said.
But Jacques said smaller crimes sometimes lead to more violent offense.
"Just because you do a so-called white collar crime doesn’t mean you won’t commit a sex offense," Jacques said.
Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre, a supporter of the bill, said he would propose creating a special commission to study the state’s criminal code and recommend whether some lesser or antiquated crimes should be changed from felonies to misdemeanors.
"We need a more deliberative process on what these antiquated laws are," he said.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Mitt Romney said he backs the concept of expanding the state’s DNA database.
"He believes we need to update our laws to take advantage of all the latest advances in science and technology," Romney press secretary Shawn Feddeman said. "We look forward to reviewing the legislation in more detail."
Expanding the database is expected to cost about $3.6 million, although the state could receive federal reimbursement.
The bill has been championed by the parents of murdered Warren teenager Molly Bish, the 16-year-old lifeguard who disappeared from a Warren pond three years ago. Bish’s remains were positively identified earlier this year.
STEVE LeBLANC , Associated Press Writer
10/24/2003
BOSTON -- Everyone convicted of a felony in Massachusetts would be required to submit a DNA sample to the state’s criminal database under a bill approved by the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday.
The House has already approved the bill.
Supporters of the plan say it will help police more quickly identify the guilty before they can commit new crimes. Currently the state only collects DNA samples from those convicted of violent felonies.
Expanding the database will also help investigators rule out suspects whose DNA does not match samples collected at crime scenes, backers said.
"What we are doing now is joining 27 other states ... in giving law enforcement the tool to have all convicted felons put their DNA on a database," said Sen. Cheryl Jacques, D-Needham, the bill’s sponsor.
Critics say the bill, which was approved by the Senate by a 36-1 margin, is too broad and should be limited only to more serious felonies.
During a two-hour debate, senators rejected an amendment designed to exempt some felonies -- including the crimes of stealing poultry or forging railroad tickets -- from the list of crimes covered by the bill.
Sen. Brian A. Joyce, D-Milton, called the amendment a "commonsense exclusion" and a way to protect those not likely to commit violent offenses.
"We forget that we also need to balance the civil liberties of the people we serve," he said.
But Jacques said smaller crimes sometimes lead to more violent offense.
"Just because you do a so-called white collar crime doesn’t mean you won’t commit a sex offense," Jacques said.
Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre, a supporter of the bill, said he would propose creating a special commission to study the state’s criminal code and recommend whether some lesser or antiquated crimes should be changed from felonies to misdemeanors.
"We need a more deliberative process on what these antiquated laws are," he said.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Mitt Romney said he backs the concept of expanding the state’s DNA database.
"He believes we need to update our laws to take advantage of all the latest advances in science and technology," Romney press secretary Shawn Feddeman said. "We look forward to reviewing the legislation in more detail."
Expanding the database is expected to cost about $3.6 million, although the state could receive federal reimbursement.
The bill has been championed by the parents of murdered Warren teenager Molly Bish, the 16-year-old lifeguard who disappeared from a Warren pond three years ago. Bish’s remains were positively identified earlier this year.