ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 10, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by Attorney General Douglas Gansler, Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger, and law enforcement officials, today announced proposed legislation to expand DNA sampling to arrestees of “Crimes of Violence” and burglaries to improve public safety and solve violent crimes in our communities.
Governor O’Malley also announced Maryland’s success in eliminating the backlog of untested and uncollected DNA samples from convicted felons, which had grown to over 24,000 by the end of 2006. Today’s event is the first in a series of events where Governor O’Malley will roll out his legislative agenda and budget priorities for the 2008 legislative session.
“Public safety is the most important responsibility our government has. The Maryland State Police has completed a task that many said could not be done – ahead of schedule. I want to thank them for their commitment to this project and for improving Maryland’s public safety,” said Governor O’Malley. “DNA is an important law enforcement tool. By expanding our DNA database, investigation, prosecution, and incarceration resources will be saved, crimes will be solved, the wrongly accused will be exonerated, and most significantly, violent crimes in our communities will be prevented and solved.”
“We have taken an important step forward to remove the backlog of DNA in Maryland criminal justice databases,” said Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown. “Because of the Governor’s leadership and our ongoing efforts to make government more efficient, we will, in turn, save lives.”
The proposed expansion of the DNA database would match arrestees’ DNA to existing casework files early in the process to close old cases, prevent repeat violent offenders from escaping apprehension, and clear individuals who are being held for crimes they did not commit. DNA collected under this statute will be stored in the DNA data base system for analysis as part of a criminal investigation. The proposed expansion would require the collection of a DNA sample from individuals arrested for:
In the last year, the O’Malley-Brown Administration took important steps to increase security in communities in every region of our state. Together, we have:
In one year, the DNA backlog of 24,300 offender samples has been eliminated. The Maryland offender samples in the FBI CODIS database have been increased by more than 88%. In addition, the number of positive DNA matches (or “hits”) increased by 51% in 2007 compared to 2006, with a total of 287 hits in 2007.
“Following the Governor’s lead and with his support, we’ve been able to join forces with our State Police colleagues in this initiative so crucial to Maryland’s security,” said Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Gary D. Maynard. “Cutting through this backlog of DNA is a great example of effective and integrated government based on a simple idea, a bit of legwork and some old fashioned cooperation.”
“In less than one year, we have dramatically increased the efficiency of Maryland’s DNA data base and our ability to connect criminals with the crimes they have committed,” said Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “This accomplishment was the direct result of Governor O’Malley’s support and commitment. The Governor’s increased funding for DNA analysis, the addition of forensic scientist positions, the ability to fill all crime laboratory vacancies, and the dedicated work of our Forensic Sciences Division staff, have resulted in a DNA data base that has already proven to be more effective than ever in assisting Maryland law enforcement agencies as we work together to keep our citizens safe.”
In the last year, Maryland has cleared a number of high-profile cases using DNA evidence. For example, from May 15, 2007 to December 10, 2007, 24 rape cases in Baltimore County were cleared through DNA, leading to the arrest and/or charging of 15 suspects, several with multiple crimes. The most notorious was Alphonso Hill charged in seven county cases and one city case.
“DNA evidence is a powerful tool for law enforcement,” said Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler. “The science is unassailable, juries trust DNA evidence, and expanding the DNA database will allow us to get violent criminals off the street before they have an opportunity to commit even more horrendous crimes.”