The Missouri State Highway Patrol announces that a DNA “match” made from a
DNA sample analyzed at the Patrol’s Springfield Crime Laboratory has
resulted in the first criminal charge being filed as a result of Missouri’s
recently expanded DNA law. 

On October 2, the Highway Patrol notified the
Jasper County Sheriff’s Department that a DNA match had been made to a DNA
profile from a previously unsolved burglary case in Jasper County.

The announcement came at a news conference this morning at the Jasper
County Sheriff’s Department in Carthage.  At that event, Jasper County
Sheriff Archie Dunn discussed the investigation that led to the criminal
charges.

“We need to give law enforcement the best tools available to fight crime
and protect Missourians,” said Gov. Jay Nixon.  “That’s why I signed the
bi-partisan, expanded DNA profiling law.  Obtaining DNA samples from
arrestees clearly will help us solve more cases and protect our citizens.”

The new DNA law was signed by Gov. Nixon on July 9 and took effect on
August 28.  Under the new law, DNA samples are now required from anyone who
is 17 years of age or older and who is arrested for first or second degree
burglary or a felony offense involving crimes against a person, sex
offenses, prostitution, or pornography. 

Previously, DNA samples were
collected only from individuals who pleaded guilty or were found guilty of
felony crimes and certain misdemeanor sex crimes, not persons who were
simply arrested.

Since the new law took effect, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime
Laboratory has matched three other DNA profiles obtained from arrestees to
existing DNA profiles from unsolved crimes.  Those cases remain under
investigation by the investigating police agencies.

The expanded DNA profiling law provides a mechanism to remove DNA from the
database if charges are not brought, unless there are other qualifying
arrests or convictions requiring that the person’s DNA sample be retained.