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Broad Drop in State Unemployment

Unemployment declined in April in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates rose in three states and remained steady in the remaining seven states. States with the highest job growth were Texas, New York and Florida. More

State Budget Update: Spring 2013

States continue to move along a familiar path of slow and steady growth as the four-year anniversary of the official end of the Great Recession approaches, according to NCSL's newly released report, “State Budget Update: Spring 2013.” More

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Civil & Criminal Justice

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NCSL Civil and Criminal Justice Program

Civil and Criminal Justice

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NCSL Criminal Justice Program in Denver, Colorado, (303) 364-7700 or cj-info@ncsl.org.

Hot Topic

Maryland v. King, update on the ability to collect DNA from arrestees.

NCSL Partners

NCSL has partnered with the National Institute of Justice to inform and assist state legislatures on forensic science issues.

DNA, Crime Records and Information

View all documents related to this topic by clicking on the document library tab at the top of this page.

DNA Analysis

During the last 20 years, DNA analysis has developed into one of law enforcement’s most effective crime fighting tools. DNA analysis allows laboratory personnel to match biological samples from suspects to crimes scenes, crime scenes to other crime scenes and even crime scenes to family members of the suspects. DNA analysis has gained the attention of legislators for its ability to aid law enforcement in reducing crime, catching repeat offenders and exonerating those wrongfully convicted of crimes.

States utilize DNA analysis for many crime fighting purposes. NCSL’s DNA Laws Database identifies key issues in DNA analysis and summarizes state laws to regulate them. Laws in the database include:

Publications

These publications address areas that states are working on to improve forensic science and fight crime.

The potential benefits of forensic science for the criminal justice system currently are met with practical concerns about lab capacity, funding and appropriately trained personnel. Building Forensic Technology Capacity
According to the National Academy of Sciences, most Americans believe that forensic science practices are comparable to the flawlessly executed procedures seen on television programs. While it is true that forensic investigative techniques have largely benefited the criminal justice system, proficiency and oversight needs persist. Strengthening Forensic Science Oversight
Lawmakers are expanding the use of forensic technology to battle crime. State Legislature Magazine article: The DNA Factor

Resources

Some states have enacted laws criminalizing the surreptitious collection and testing of DNA samples by private citizens. If a person collects a biological sample from another person without their knowledge, and causes DNA analysis to be performed on it. American Bar Association: Gene Swipe.
The National Forensic Science Technology Center has created the Forensic DNA Education for Law Enforcement Decision Makers. This online educational resource is a project that was also funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
Post-Conviction DNA Testing: Massachusetts becomes the 49th state to enable testing for convicts.

You can see all the documents related to this topic by clicking on the document library tab at the top of this page or you can search all civil and criminal justice documents on the site here.

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Chief Justice Issues Stay in DNA Collection Case	Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters	8/10/2012 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=25120	25120	According to the National Institute of Justice, Maryland is one of 11 states that require an arraignment or judicial determination of probable cause prior to the collection of a sample from an arrestee. An additional 17 states collect samples after arrest without requiring this type of finding.
NCSL Webinar: Results and Evidence in Criminal Justice	Multimedia	4/16/2012 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=24600	24600	In this webinar you will learn how good research and evidence is the foundation for many effective criminal justice policies. Lawmakers are increasingly using data to inform their policy decisions and requiring corrections programs to have evidence that they work to protect public safety and reduce recidivism
Post-Conviction DNA Testing: Massachusetts	Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters	2/23/2012 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=24367	24367	On February 9, 2012, Massachusetts became the 49th state to enact a law that provides a mechanism for post-conviction DNA testing.
NCSL comments to "Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Proposed Plan for FY 2011”	Letters/Testimony	2/4/2011 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=22160	22160	On February 4, 2011 NCSL submitted comments to the the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's proposed plan for 2011.
DNA Laws Database	Bill Summaries/ Databases	11/30/2010 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=21808	21808	DNA Laws Database
DNA Laws Database Topic Summaries	Bill Summaries/ Databases	10/22/2010 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=21558	21558	This is a summary of the topics for the DNA Laws Database.
Lawmakers Visit to Chicago for NCSL and NIJ's "Forensic Science Model Site Visit"	Meetings	7/15/2010 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=20798	20798	A group of 13 state legislators from 10 states took part in the "Forensic Science Model Site Visit" held in Chicago, Illinois on June 6-8, 2010. The visit was planned and carried out under a partnership project with NCSL's Criminal Justice Program and the National Institute of Justice.
The DNA Factor	Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters	5/18/2010 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=20358	20358	Lawmakers are expanding the use of forensic technology to battle crime.
Strengthening Forensic Science Technologies	Books	3/26/2010 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=20055	20055	Suggestions for improving the quality of U.S. forensic oversight include mandating laboratory accreditation, standardizing procedures, certifying professionals and testing the quality of lab operations.
Crime Records: Significant State Enactments in 2009	Bill Summaries/ Databases	2/17/2010 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=19758	19758	State crime legislation in 2009 included measures that focus on records expungement, sharing and access to criminal justice information systems.
Building Forensic Technology Capacity	Books	12/16/2009 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=19384	19384	Advancements in forensic science have prompted lawmakers to expand existing state policies regarding DNA databases, dynamic property crimes investigation and cold case units.
[LegisBrief] Taking DNA Samples from Arrestees	Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters	10/6/2009 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=18715	18715	Collecting DNA samples from those arrested for, but not yet convicted of, certain offenses increases the likelihood of matching a sample already in state and national databases.
Summary of Final National Guidelines - SORNA	Reports	9/15/2008 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=12701	12701	summary
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs LegisBrief	Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters	1/1/2006 12:00:00 AM	/default.aspx?tabid=12724	12724	Prescription drug abuse comprises almost one-third of drug abuse in the United States, and treatment admission rates have more than doubled in the past 10 years. Identifying abuse from a criminal justice perspective is difficult, since the drugs typically are purchased legally then used for an unintended purpose or distributed to a different person.

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