The Summary includes abstracts of articles from major national newspapers, business magazines, Web sites, national and international wire services, and periodicals focusing on law enforcement and corrections technology. P. A15 Establishing DNA sampling as a standard arrest procedure could protect the innocent as well as convict the guilty, members of a Federal commission to study DNA databases said Tuesday. Attorney General Janet Reno requested the 22-member Justice Department commission after repeated nudging from law enforcement officials across the country. Indeed, Louisiana recently adopted a law authorizing DNA testing of anyone arrested, and the New York City Police Commissioner has expressed support for the idea.
Many states already take samples from convicted sex offenders and violent criminals.
Commission members emphasized that the department has yet to make a decision on the matter. John Following significant drops in violent crime, the New York City Police Department established a task force to handle its unsolved case load. All 36 detectives assigned to the Cold Case Squad have at least 15 years on the force. Law enforcement groups and the FBI have expressed concern over the export of strong encryption, fearing it would facilitate terrorists and criminals. But SAFE's main goal is to prevent electronic crime, Goodlatte said, by providing a level of confidentiality.