A team of retired cops will attempt to locate and obtain DNA samples from convicted felons who are supposed to have submitted them to a state databank. Governor Doyle made that announcement Friday after meeting with Corrections Secretary Rick Raemisch.
AUDIO: Governor Jim Doyle (:18 MP3)
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says he’ll work closely with the Correctons Department to close the gap. Van Hollen and Raemisch say short-term safeguards have been put in place to improve DNA collection, and sheriff’s departments around the state have started taking DNA samples from felons who are missing from the database.
Governor Doyle says a retired cop will oversee the effort. He says there’s been some trouble determining where the holes exist.
AUDIO: Governor Jim Doyle (:15 MP3)
State law requires the Corrections Department to take DNA samples from all convicted felons and ship them to the state crime lab. A Justice Department review last week discovered samples from at least 12,000 felons never made it to the labs. Doyle says he’s not convinced the number is that high.
Jason Fischer
