States expand taking of DNA-In some states, all felony suspects fair game

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States expand taking of DNA
All felony suspects fair game in some

By Kevin Johnson
USA TODAY


WASHINGTON — States are dramatically expanding controversial DNA sampling beyond convicted felons to include tens of thousands of suspects arrested on felony charges before they are tried.

Twelve states have laws that permit sampling for some or all felony arrests, up from five in 2006, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) says. Another 21 are considering such proposals, according to DNAResource.com, which tracks DNA-related laws.

Provisions in most of the new laws call for destroying samples if suspects are acquitted or charges are dropped. After a sample is destroyed, the DNA cannot be matched to other crimes in the database.

The fast-growing legislation, once applied narrowly to sex offenders and convicted felons, worries civil liberties advocates who believe the testing amounts to a clumsy forensic dragnet.

"In our system, you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty," says Maryland state Sen. Lisa Gladden, a Democrat, who opposed a DNA sampling plan offered by Gov. Martin O'Malley, also a Democrat.

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