NCJ Number
129131
Date Published
1990
Length
54 pages
Annotation
A subcommittee established by the 1989 Virginia legislature studied the feasibility of creating a repository to store, maintain, and exchange the results of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests conducted in the State.
Abstract
The subcommittee focused on 5 issues: (1) the feasibility of requiring DNA testing of all convicted sex offenders; (2) whether incarcerated sex offenders should be tested; (3) the need for a database containing the results of these tests; (4) the specific procedures needed; and (5) the costs and funding required for such a program. The subcommittee concluded that DNA technology will transform criminal investigations even more than fingerprint identification. The subcommittee also supported the 1989 decision to establish a testing program and to create a database. In addition, it concluded that the proposed legislation on DNA analysis and data banking represents an appropriate balancing of the interests of persons tested and the interests of the State in crime prevention and detection. Reference notes, figures, text of legislation, and appended tables