Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 13, 1990 TAG: 9007130125
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
DNA is a genetic code unique to each person. Like fingerprints, it can be used to link a person to a crime.
Officials say Virginia is the first state to set up such a data bank. Only the FBI has a similar program.
When the data bank in Richmond is in full operation, authorities across the state will be able to use it when police find blood, skin, hair or semen at a crime scene.
"It's one of the greatest scientific advances since fingerprints," said Dr. Paul Ferrara, director of the Virginia Bureau of Forensic Science, who took the idea to the General Assembly three years ago.
DNA matching began as a way to determine paternity. But in the last 10 years, the science has found its way into criminal prosecutions.
Unlike traditional fingerprints that tie a suspect to the scene of a crime, DNA can link someone to the crime itself, particularly in rape cases.
"It is much more powerful than fingerprints," Ferrara said.
When DNA analysis began in Virginia last year, forensic specialists could use DNA matching only when they had a suspect in custody. Because of the limitation of the state's laboratory, the testing was used only in violent crime cases.
With the new data bank, police can check the DNA they have uncovered to see if it matches any of the convicted felons whose DNA types have been tested.
In the 100 tests the state's forensic laboratories performed last year, 75 people were convicted or pleaded guilty, Ferrara said. In the 25 other cases, it was determined the person in custody had not committed the crime, he said.
by CNB