LAST EDITED ON 12-15-06 AT 07:24 PM (EST)
Va. Reviews DNA Databank for Omissions
RICHMOND, Va. - Authorities are reviewing Virginia's DNA databank, the nation's first and most extensive, after an investigation found that many felons were omitted. ...The databank contains an estimated 260,000 samples, but authorities say tens of thousands could be missing. ...
(Multiple state agencies) are conducting the review, which could take two months.
The databank is supposed to contain samples from anyone 14 or older convicted of a felony ... or punished as juveniles for felony-level crimes. Since 2003, the databank also has included anyone arrested for violent felonies.
The law is not clear on who is responsible for the samples being taken. The effort often falls to local jails and probation offices. ... as many as 50,000 could be missing statewide, based on a sampling of omissions in the Charlottesville area.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press.
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