NCJ Number
220688
Date Published
2004
Length
88 pages
Annotation
This paper provides the business case for the broad application of DNA to all cases of sexual assault demonstrating an extraordinary return on investment.
Abstract
The estimated cost to process all of the 366,460 reported sexual assaults per year is $366 million. This represents an increase of $310 million over the estimated current spending level. The estimated savings resulting from apprehending serial offenders early in their careers is $12.9 billion, not including investigative, legal, justice system, and preventative savings associated with the prevented sexual assaults. The savings is 35.2 times the investment. The total expense of processing an additional 8.85 million known DNA samples for an expanded DNA database is estimated at $265 million, which would establish a potential for a 42-percent success rate, similar to that of Britain. A comparison with other forms of social spending, such as AIDS research, demonstrates the high relative worth of an additional investment in forensic DNA. With these investments in crime scene DNA and an expanded DNA database, an estimated 40 percent of future sexual assaults by strangers could be prevented by earlier apprehension of serial offenders. Several recommendations are presented with highlights including: (1) a comprehensive national plan; (2) national standardized training; (3) educate law enforcement and first responders on forensics/DNA/sexual assault; (4) standardization of appropriate lab facilities; (5) review checks and balances in place to ensure no misuse of DNA information and profiles in the national database; and (6) create local and regional boards of oversight to ensure adherence to mission. The use of forensic DNA technology has produced a revolution in the way crimes are solved. A two-pronged approach including the broad application of crime scene DNA to a large known offender DNA database has shown the potential to solve and prevent many crimes of sexual assault. The focus of this paper is on the ability of forensic DNA to solve "no suspect" crimes. Figures, references and appendixes I-VII