RAMSTAD SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE DNA BACKLOG  

WASHINGTON – House Law Enforcement Caucus Co-Chair Jim Ramstad (MN-3) today joined Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Ben Gilman (R-NY) in introducing bipartisan legislation to provide resources to state and local law enforcement for clearing up the estimated 600,000 DNA sample backlog and to coordinate evidence from states and the FBI in a central database.

In addition, the bill will create a database for missing persons, and will close loopholes that are allowing criminals to escape detection.

"This DNA legislation is critical to reduce violent crime in America," said Ramstad. "It's absolutely essential for law enforcement to have access to the most sophisticated technology available to solve crime – DNA evidence."

"In my home state of Minnesota, with a relatively low backlog of 781 convicted offenders, the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) has allowed state and local law enforcement crime labs to compare DNA profiles of suspects electronically, aiding 19 investigations in a three-month period last year," said Ramstad. "The resources this legislation provides could help police find the criminals in hundreds of unsolved cases."

"In instances of sexual assault, DNA evidence could help solve the nearly 50% of cases that are not cleared by arrest," said Ramstad, "helping us put predators behind bars and keep our families and communities safe."