Brianna’s Law – passed in Nevada in 2013 in honor of a 19 year old Brianna Denison who was raped and murdered – requires collection and database entry of DNA from people arrested for a felony. According to reporting in the Reno Gazette Journal, “Although the data is still preliminary, Gresko said the collection of DNA has hit matches on approximately 500 burglaries, 86 automobile burglaries, 62 robberies, three arsons, 23 attempted homicides and nine homicides including cold cases that date back decades. ”
The expansion of DNA collection to include arrestees is supported by the Maryland v. King Supreme Court decision, but is not without controversy. The American Civil Liberties Union, among others, worry these policies are an unjust intrusion into privacy rights.
Want to learn more about Brianna’s law and its outcomes in Nevada, please see this story by Siobhan McAndrew in the Reno Gazette Journal:
pgEd also offers a lesson about DNA and Crime, in which many of these issues are discussed in detail.