Press Release- Aug 03, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2007
Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
Don Quick, 303.548.4606
GOV. RITTER AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ANNOUNCE WORKING GROUP ON DNA EVIDENCE
Gov. Bill Ritter and the Colorado District Attorney's Council today announced the collaborative formation of a working group to examine how DNA evidence is collected and preserved in Colorado.
An independent team of experts and stakeholders will come together to study DNA collection, preservation and analysis practices in Colorado. The working group also will examine best practices nationally to see if they need to be implemented in Colorado.
The Governor, who will appoint the group's chairperson, and the District Attorney's Council said they expect the team will present its finding and possible recommendations this fall. The group will include law enforcement officials, the criminal defense bar and legislators.
"As Denver's former District Attorney, I am pleased to join with the CDAC to assess our current system and identify areas that may need refinement," Gov. Ritter said. "It's extremely important that the people of Colorado feel confident in their criminal justice system and how that system handles DNA evidence."
"DNA evidence is one of the best tools for exposing the guilty and protecting the innocet," said Don Quick, Adams County District Attorney and president of the CDAC. "Our DNA collection and preservation methods must be top notch. This working group will examine what Colorado already does well, and make suggestions on what we can do better."
"I'm pleased that all the stakeholders want to come to the table and examine how to best preserve DNA evidence in Colorado," said state Rep. Cheri Jahn. "I look forward to meeting with the experts in the DNA field and hearing from the public about their experiences. We will focus on creating a process for the preservation of DNA evidence, to give closure to the victims of heinous crimes, to correct injustice if there has been a wrongful conviction, and to use DNA technology to protect our citizens and all victims of crime."