Gov. Eric Holcomb signs DNA collection bill – Indianapolis Star

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DNA is collected as evidence at the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency.(Photo: Matt Kryger/The Star)Buy Photo

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law Friday a bill that allows the collection of DNA from those arrested on felony charges.

Senate Enrolled Act 322requires anyone arrested for a felony after Dec. 31, 2017, to submit a DNA sample via cheek swab. It further stipulates that the sample may not be shipped for identification unless the person was arrested on a warrant or probable cause has been found for a felony arrest.

The law also requires arresting officers to inform arrestees of the DNA removal process and to provide them with information and a form regarding DNA expungement.

The bill was the subject of heated debate late last year after its initial draft stipulated that the sample would remain in the system even in the event charges were not formally filed after an arrest or filed charges were later dismissed.Prior to the bill's signing, the state only collected DNA after conviction.

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The final version of the bill signed by Holcomb Friday says the DNA sample may be removed from the database if the felony charges are converted to misdemeanors or if they're dropped altogether, as well as if no formal felony charges are filed against the arresteewithin a year.

Last September, Damoine Wilcoxson was charged with the murder of an elderly Zionsville man after police were able to identify him through DNA collected following an arrest in Ohio which was later submitted to a national database.

Rep. Greg Steuerwald(R-Avon), one of the bill's co-sponsors,released a statement Friday celebrating the new law and its potential to help law enforcement.

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What this bill does, it identifies the perpetrator and exonerates the innocent," he said. "The Innocence Project testified in committee that there have been eight or nine different people currently incarcerated in DOC who have been found to be innocent of the charges and released from DOC because of DNA evidence."

State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem), who authored the bill, released a statement Friday thanking the governor for signing the act into law.

"This legislation will provide law enforcement officers with another valuable tool in their efforts to protect and serve our communities across the state," she said. "I am confident this new law will lead to more criminals being brought to justice for their crimes, exonerate the innocent, and will provide some peace to victims and their families."

Now signed, the law goes into effect July 1.

A trail of clues led police agencies to a suspect in the slaying of elderly Zionsville, Ind., man and attacks on two Indianapolis Metropolitan Police stations. Here's how they pieced together the evidence. (Dwight Adams/IndyStar) Wochit

IndyStar reporter Madeline Buckley contributed to this story.

Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.

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Gov. Eric Holcomb signs DNA collection bill - Indianapolis Star