ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 13, 2008) – Testifying before select committees of the Maryland General Assembly, Governor Martin O’Malley today called for the expansion of Maryland’s DNA database for violent offenders. Governor O’Malley is committed to improving public safety for Maryland and has made public safety one of his key priorities during the 2008 legislative session.
“Improving public safety in our neighborhoods and communities is the most important responsibility we have as a State,” said Governor O’Malley. “Our law enforcement officials need access to the best tools available to identify offenders – and our State is in a position to deliver this expanded technology as a 21st Century crime fighting tool to prevent needless attacks against our citizens.”
Under Governor O’Malley’s proposed legislation (DNA Database System, HB 370, SB 211), DNA fingerprints would be required for individuals arrested for violent crimes, including abduction; arson in the first degree; burglary; kidnapping; manslaughter; mayhem; maiming; rape; robbery; carjacking; 1st and 2nd degree sexual offense; use of a handgun in commission of a felony or other violent crime; child abuse-1st degree; sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 13 by an adult; 1st degree assault; continuing course of conduct with a child; and any attempts of the previously mentioned crimes.
By expanding Maryland’s DNA Database, law enforcement will be able to more efficiently resolve open criminal investigations, pursue repeat offenders and save valuable time pursuing false leads by effectively eliminating suspects from ongoing investigations. It is estimated that by adding the arrestees of violent crimes and burglaries to the State’s current DNA database, we will add approximately 31,000 samples to our database per year.
“The use of DNA to link criminals with crime scenes is one of the most significant developments in law enforcement history,” Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan said. “Maryland’s DNA data base has already proven its incredible value as a law enforcement tool. Expanding DNA data base samples to include those arrested for violent crimes will increase its efficiency and enable Maryland police agencies to more effectively reduce violent crime.”
Governor O’Malley’s legislation is modeled after Virginia’s successful DNA program, enabling Maryland to join 11 other states who currently collect DNA from violent crime suspects at the time of arrest.
Last year, the Maryland State Police under the O’Malley-Brown Administration, was successful in closing a backlog of more than 24,000 DNA samples. The DNA samples had been collected from criminals, but were not processed or entered into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Combined DNA Index System, where they could be accessed by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials to solve crimes.
In addition to expanding the use of DNA fingerprinting to improve public safety, Governor O’Malley’s proposed budget for FY 2009 includes funding to increase community supervision and surveillance of high risk juvenile offenders through the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, and provides historic funding levels to begin the overhaul of detention and treatment facilities for the State’s juvenile services.
[ Read Governor O’Malley’s prepared testimony - Listen to audio mp3 ]
February 13, 2008 |
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