DNA analysis important tool

By The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

----

Last week, Gov. Terry Branstad signed off on a new law that authorizes law enforcement to take DNA samples from people convicted of less-serious crimes classified as aggravated misdemeanors.

 Iowa authorities had only been able to lawfully collect samples from those convicted of felonies, as a way to help solve past and future crimes.

The list of aggravated misdemeanors includes assaults, thefts and multiple drunken driving convictions.

The bill brought interesting arguments. Some objected, claiming the change could chip away at constitutional rights, most notably right to privacy issues.

It's a legitimate concern.

However, increasing the DNA database isn't just about solving crimes and convicting people - although we see that as a great reason.

There's also the consideration of exonerating innocent people. Those two issues combined, lead us to agree with the recent change in the law.

We have to balance those privacy rights with the rights of innocent people to remain free from incarceration.

Far too many times, we have seen innocent people - many who have served a decade or more in prison - set free after proving their innocence. Some after spending time on death row.

DNA technology has played a big part in that. It makes one wonder how many innocent people have died behind bars, or through capital punishment.

Attorney General Tom Miller welcomed the new law as a "natural, logical extension of what we've seen before to make our state safer and to make the criminal justice system more accurate."

DNA analysis has become one of the most effective tools in solving some of the most heinous crimes. It's a color-blind tool that can help convict or exonerate with increased accuracy.

That makes it a technology that we should be utilizing more often.