Jaffee, State Expand NY DNA Databank

Rocklanders arrested and found guilty of certain crimes—along with residents across New York State—will now have their DNA added to the retained in the state's DNA databank, beginning October 1, 2012.

The legislation, which received the final touches this week, had the support of Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern). The law lengthens the list of offenses that mandate a DNA sample from a convicted offender, while also taking measures to use DNA to exonerate the wrongly accused.

The ruling——now gives New York the most expansive DNA databank of all 50 states.

"By expanding our offender DNA databank, we will help our police officers and local officials solve more crimes and put dangerous criminals behind bars," Jaffee said Thursday afternoon.

Now, all felonies and penal misdemeanors will require a DNA sample from people found guilty, with extenuating circumstances—like when a person is found with a small amount of marijuana.

The DNA database is used to match known suspects with DNA materials—be they hair, blood or other substances—from crime scenes.

This legislation also allows courts to order post-conviction DNA tests to determine possible innocence.

"Wrongful convictions not only harm and imprison innocent defendants, they leave our families vulnerable to the criminals left free to commit other crimes," Jaffee said.

Kenneth Zebrowksi, a Democratic Assemblyman from the 94th district, also supported the law.

"With the passage of this legislation, New York leads the way in providing its families with a more accurate and effective criminal justice system," he said.