People convicted of some crimes now required to give DNA samples
People convicted of felony crimes and higher-level misdemeanors now are required to provide DNA samples that state police will store in a database and share with the FBI to help solve other crimes.
A 2018 amendment to Title 44 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes that recently went into effect requires people convicted of felonies, first-degree misdemeanors and certain second-degree misdemeanors to provide DNA samples.
The amendment calls on state police to store the DNA profiles and identification information from the samples in a database and share them with the FBI, which stores the information in its National DNA Index System (NDIS) and uses its Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) software to match a DNA profile from a suspect to a profile in NDIS.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said DNA science can help police solve unsolved crimes.
