[StBernard] Times-Picayune: Processing DNA evidence faster

[Westley Annis]

Processing DNA evidence faster



New Orleans Times-Picayune
Editorial
November 21, 2011

"DNA analysis often provides crucial evidence in criminal cases, mostly to
help convict perpetrators but occasionally to demonstrate the innocence of
people who were wrongly convicted before the technique was widely available.
Thus, processing DNA samples in a timely manner is important for the proper
function of the criminal justice system.

That's why the Jindal administration deserves credit for eliminating a
long-standing backlog of DNA cases in the State Police's crime lab. In
announcing the achievement last week, Gov. Bobby Jindal said the lab is now
processing DNA samples as they come in, making it more effective in
assisting local law enforcement agencies.

That's a huge improvement compared with the lab's past performance in
handling DNA samples. Over the past decade, the lab accumulated a backlog
that stood at 1,200 cases by the time Gov. Jindal took office in 2008...

The process to identify and track suspects in such cases should move faster
now that the crime lab doesn't have a backlog. That will help catch
predators sooner and perhaps keep them from victimizing other people."

Read more in the New Orleans Times-Picayune
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