10.01.03

Cantwell Cosponsors DNA Backlog Bill

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to provide critical funds to states to reduce the backlog of unanalyzed DNA evidence from rape cases. The legislation builds on Cantwell's bill that passed the Senate last year. The "Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2003" provides over $1 billion over the next five years to assist state and local law enforcement process the backlog of DNA evidence and further the ability of DNA to solve crimes and protect the innocent.

The bill authorizes $755 million over five years for "Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grants" to address the DNA backlog crisis in the nation's crime labs. The bill also authorizes $150 million over five years for grants to establish and maintain sexual assault exam programs that provide communities with nurses trained specifically in how to treat the physical and emotional needs of sexual assault victims and build solid cases to prosecute the perpetrators. Nationwide, there are up to 500,000 unanalyzed DNA samples from rape kits that could hold the clues to solving rapes and other crimes. In Washington state, at least 4,000 rape kits continue to await testing.

"This legislation will allow law enforcement to fully harness the power of DNA technology and help bring justice to every woman who has had the courage to come forward," Cantwell said. "This bill is critical to addressing the massive backlog of untested DNA evidence in rape and other violent crimes."

The legislation includes key provisions of the Debbie Smith Act and also incorporates provisions of the Innocence Protection Act to encourage states to grant access to DNA testing of new evidence to convicted felons.