Assemblyman Brindisi Votes to Expand the State’s DNA Databank

March 15, 2012

Assemblyman Anthony J. Brindisi (D-Utica) announced the passage of a bill he sponsored that gives New York the most expansive DNA databank in the nation. This bill would broaden the current list of offenses that require a DNA sample from a convicted criminal (A.9555).

“Expanding the current DNA databank is long overdue,” Assemblyman Brindisi said. “Had this been the law, Robert Blainey would have been behind bars far sooner and he would have not have committed his most recent heinous crime.”

Since its inception in 1996, usage of the DNA databank has resulted in more than 2,900 convictions. Currently, criminals in the databank have been convicted, on average, of three crimes – in some cases as many as 30 crimes – for which no DNA was collected before they committed a crime that required such a sample. Under this legislation, the new list of crimes eligible will include all felonies and most penal law misdemeanors. The bill will also ensure that wrongfully convicted individuals have equal access to DNA testing and the DNA databank

“An expanded databank will give Mohawk Valley police officers and officials throughout the state the tools they need to solve crimes and get dangerous criminals off our streets,” Assemblyman Brindisi concluded.

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