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Expanding the Offender Index of the New York State DNA Data Bank

NCJ Number
194246
Author(s)
Bruce Frederick; James A. Gilmer; David van Alstyne
Date Published
January 2002
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This report compares two proposals for expanding the New York State DNA Data Bank by indexing those offenders convicted of nonviolent felonies and less serious crimes as well.
Abstract
This study yielded estimates of how much the two alternative proposals might enhance the potential utility of the DNA Data Bank. The study used adult criminal history data from a cohort of all New York State residents born in 1969. Offender criminal histories were examined for arrests for violent felony offenses (VFO's) from ages 16 through 30, the most crime-prone period of life. VFO arrests were used as proxies for forensic DNA offenses, crimes likely to yield forensic DNA evidence. The existing index was compared to two expansion proposals: an index based on conviction for all felonies including youthful offender (YO) adjudications substituted for felony convictions, and one based on conviction for all crimes, both felonies and misdemeanors, including felony and misdemeanor YO adjudications. The findings confirmed the results of other research in concluding that violent criminals tended to be versatile in their patterns of offending. The study also showed that expanding the Offender Index by extending the list of qualifying offenses would substantially increase the coverage of the DNA Data Bank, which would increase the possibility of matching indexed offenders with the kinds of crimes expected to yield forensic DNA evidence. Expanding the existing index would mean that offenders enter the DNA Data Bank earlier in their criminal careers and in significantly greater numbers. Indexing offenders earlier in their careers enhances prospects for earlier and more substantial criminal justice interventions. 5 notes and 13 references

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