Utilizing DNA Technology to Solve Cold Cases Act of 2011
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (25 Apr 2012): Subcommittee Hearings Held.
What this bill does
This bill, H.R. 3361, would require the Attorney General to establish policies allowing the FBI to conduct familial DNA searches in federal investigations. A familial search compares a crime scene DNA sample to a database of convicted offenders to identify potential relatives of the unknown suspect. The bill also allows state authorities to request the FBI to conduct these searches for state investigations under certain conditions. These searches would only be permitted if no direct match is found in the offender database and the crime involves serious offenses like murder, kidnapping, or specific sex offenses. The bill also mandates the protection of privacy interests for individuals identified through these searches.
The legislation affects federal and state law enforcement agencies involved in criminal investigations, particularly those involving violent crimes and sex offenses against minors. It also impacts individuals whose DNA is in the offender index. State requests for federal assistance would be contingent on states having their own policies for evaluating familial matches and agreeing to investigate matches within their own state before seeking external help.
H.R. 3361 was introduced in the House of Representatives in November 2011 and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet passed either chamber of Congress or been signed into law. If passed, the Attorney General would have one year to implement the required policies and issue regulations. The bill also requires annual reporting on the use of familial searches.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Utilizing DNA Technology to Solve Cold Cases Act of 2011 - Requires the Attorney General to adopt policies and procedures to ensure that: (1) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may conduct familial searches for DNA samples collected from crime scenes in federal investigations, (2) a CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) state administrator or a state attorney general may request that the FBI conduct such searches in state investigations, and (3) the privacy interests of persons identified in familial searches are protected. Defines "familial search" as a search of the offender index in the National DNA Index System in which a DNA sample from an unknown source collected from a crime scene is compared to such index to determine if a familial match exists between the DNA profile contained in such index and the DNA sample collected from the crime scene.
Allows FBI familial searches to be conducted only if: (1) no identical match for a DNA sample collected from a crime scene can be identified in the offender index; and (2) the investigation for which DNA samples are collected involves murder, voluntary manslaughter, kidnapping, a sex offense against a minor, or an offense for which an offender would be required to register as a tier III sex offender.
Sets forth requirements for state requests for such searches, including assurances that the requesting state will: (1) take steps to facilitate the investigation of familial matches from other states, and (2) investigate possible familial matches in that state before requesting assistance from other states.
Timeline
25 Apr 2012
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3361 do?
- This bill, H.R. 3361, would require the Attorney General to establish policies allowing the FBI to conduct familial DNA searches in federal investigations. A familial search compares a crime scene DNA sample to a database of convicted offenders to identify potential relatives of the unknown suspect. The bill also allows state authorities to request the FBI to conduct these searches for state investigations under certain conditions. These searches would only be permitted if no direct match is found in the offender database and the crime involves serious offenses like murder, kidnapping, or specific sex offenses. The bill also mandates the protection of privacy interests for individuals identified through these searches. The legislation affects federal and state law enforcement agencies involved in criminal investigations, particularly those involving violent crimes and sex offenses against minors. It also impacts individuals whose DNA is in the offender index. State requests for federal assistance would be contingent on states having their own policies for evaluating familial matches and agreeing to investigate matches within their own state before seeking external help. H.R. 3361 was introduced in the House of Representatives in November 2011 and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet passed either chamber of Congress or been signed into law. If passed, the Attorney General would have one year to implement the required policies and issue regulations. The bill also requires annual reporting on the use of familial searches.
- Has H.R. 3361 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 3361. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3361?
- H.R. 3361 was sponsored by Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-29] (D-CA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3361?
- Subcommittee Hearings Held. (25 Apr 2012).
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