Virginia studies DNA database expansion – WSET

by Elizabeth Tyree, The Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia officials are studying a DNA database expansion to include more people convicted of misdemeanors.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that supporters expect a larger database to help solve more crimes, but opponents say an expansion raises cost and privacy concerns. The Department of Forensic Science's website shows Virginia's database now holds more than 415,000 offender DNA profiles.

A bill that would have directed the Virginia State Crime Commission to study an expansion didn't pass in the General Assembly this year, but the commission's executive committee decided to do it anyway. Staff will also review safeguards and the cost of any additional collections.

Among those in favor of the study are John and Susan Graham, parents of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, who believe she would not have been murdered had her killers DNA been taken following a misdemeanor trespassing conviction in 2010, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.

Hannah Graham was abducted in Charlottesville and killed by Jesse Matthew in 2014.

Another supporter of the DNA database expansion is Gil Harrington, mother of Morgan Harrington who was also killed by Matthew.

Officials believe that Matthew's DNA would have generated a "hit" in the data bank after a sexual assault in Fairfax back in 2005 and, if convicted, Matthew would most likely have been in a jail cell instead of abducting Hannah Graham.

ACLU of Virginia spokesman Bill Farrar says and his group opposes collections from people who have only committed a misdemeanor.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Virginia studies DNA database expansion - WSET