Collecting DNA From Arrestees: Implementation Lessons

Twenty-eight states and the federal government have enacted laws that authorize the collection of DNA samples from not just convicted offenders, but also from individuals arrested or charged with certain qualifying offenses. Yet, despite their widespread adoption, little is known about the investigative utility of collecting DNA evidence from arrestees or how expanded DNA collection laws affect the collecting agencies and state crime laboratories responsible for their implementation. This article explores the latter issue — how key provisions in arrestee DNA legislation influence the activities associated with DNA collection and analysis. Information in this article was derived from a review of state and federal laws and from interviews with state crime laboratory representatives in 26 of the 28 states that passed legislation authorizing the collection of DNA from some subset of arrestees. This data collection is part of an NIJ-funded Urban Institute project examining the collection of DNA from arrestees.