Connecticut Senate Bill SB00615

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/11
• Refer: 1/21/11

Caption

An Act Requiring Dna Samples Be Taken From Persons Arrested For A Felony.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would amend Title 54 of the general statutes, which relates to the administration of justice and the powers of law enforcement. The introduction of mandatory DNA sampling from felony arrestees could significantly affect how criminal identification is conducted, leading to quicker resolutions of cases where DNA evidence is critical. This change may also facilitate the exoneration of wrongfully accused individuals by providing reliable evidence of their innocence.

Summary

SB00615 is a legislative act aimed at improving the process of identifying individuals who are arrested for committing felonies. The core provision of the bill mandates that any person arrested for a felony must submit a biological sample, such as blood, for DNA analysis. This requirement is designed to enhance law enforcement’s ability to utilize DNA evidence in investigations and prosecutions, thereby potentially increasing the accuracy in solving crimes and identifying suspects.

Contention

However, the proposed measure is not without controversy. Opponents of SB00615 may argue that mandatory DNA collection infringes upon personal privacy rights and raises ethical concerns regarding the potential misuse or mishandling of biological data. Additionally, there may be apprehension about the implications for individuals who are arrested but not convicted, as they could still have their genetic material stored in a database. This raises important questions about consent, data protection, and the balance between effective law enforcement and civil liberties.