TDR award winner is DNA collection advocate
May 12, 2008
Laura Neuman is one of the high achievers who will be honored tonight by The Daily Record as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women for her entrepreneurship. But her influence on Maryland extends beyond the business world.
When Maryland begins the expansion of its DNA database tomorrow, it will be - at least in part - in response to the urging of victims of violent crime such as Laura Neuman.
Neuman lobbied hard for Maryland to expand DNA collection to include those arrested for a violent crime. She believes that her attacker, who pled guilty to rape in 2002, would have been caught sooner if his DNA had been collected during one of the six times he was arrested before she was attacked. And she testified to that before the state Legislature.
Now, Maryland joins about a dozen other states that collect DNA from people arrested for some felonies. More states will surely follow suit; 21 others are considering similar proposals, and changes are coming at the federal level, too.
Of course, not everyone thinks the expanded database is a good idea (O’Malley and Gansler are supporters). Critics say it violates a suspect’s civil rights, and even some supporters worry about abuse of the information, not to mention the backlog of samples to process.
But Neuman told CNN: “Is it worth the risk to make sure that we get these cases solved and keep people behind bars who should be behind bars? Those who are innocent have nothing to fear.
Do you agree? Does the fact that the sample will be expunged upon release or acquittal make a difference?
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentMayhem: is it worth your DNA?
February 14, 2008
Gov. Martin O’Malley wants to expand how Maryland uses DNA to fight crime. As of now, the state only takes samples from convicted felons. O’Malley would like to see that expanded to people arrested for violent crimes and burglary. All of this makes sense, of course, but I couldn’t help but notice one of the crimes listed that the governor wants to require DNA samples for.
Sandwiched in between manslaughter and maiming (two clear-cut offenses) is the crime of all crimes: mayhem. That’s right, folks, mayhem.
In my days as a hellion teenager (you can see the demon seed beginning to sprout in my childhood picture posted on reporter Robbie Whelan’s K-9 blog) I committed many offenses that now, apparently, are DNA-worthy. I mean, instigating anarchy, chaos and, yes, mayhem kept me going through those difficult years. Sorry, Afterschool Special, but you just didn’t get through to me.
So here’s a warning to any wayward youth out there: I know how you feel, but mayhem isn’t the answer.
Francis Smith, Special Publications Assistant Editor
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