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Oklahoma
State Senate
For Immediate Release: May 13, 2009 Legislation that will help law enforcement solve cold cases, including murder, rape and child molestation, has been approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 1102, by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, would add new misdemeanor crimes to those that can result in the harvesting of DNA. The DNA would only be collected upon conviction of those crimes. Nichols authored legislation that first expanded the state’s DNA database, which directly led to the arrest and conviction of the man who murdered OU Ballet student Julie Buskin. “That 1996 murder case had gone cold, but once we expanded the database, a DNA match was made with someone who had been arrested years later for a completely unrelated crime,” Nichols said. “It showed just how important this forensic science is, and that’s why we’ve decided to name this legislation in Julie’s honor.” Crimes being added to those that can result in DNA collection include outraging public decency, peeping tom and resisting arrest. The bill has also been amended to require the collection of DNA from illegal aliens who are arrested in Oklahoma and then are to be deported. “I’m certain that we will be able to solve more cold cases if SB 1102 becomes law, and I am grateful for the bipartisan support this measure has received in the Senate.” The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), which collects the DNA profiles and enters them into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), believes this bill will provide a much need tool for law enforcement. “The expansion of the DNA database means more crimes will be solved and will also prevent crime in the future,” said Jessica Brown, OSBI Public Information Officer. The measure now goes to Gov. Brad Henry for his approval. For more information contact:
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