A new state law is taking effect that greatly expands the collection of DNA samples by law enforcement officials. Local police are now required to take DNA from anyone arrested for a violent felony and send the sample to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The agency won’t process the samples until a judge finds probable cause that a crime was committed. Waupun Deputy police chief Scott Louden says he thinks its great for law enforcement. “Anytime that you can collect DNA you can use those results and link cold cases,” Louden told WFDL news. The more DNA we have the more we can tap into our data base to help solve other crimes.” Previously, DNA samples were taken only from convicted felons and sex offenders. The DOJ expanded its Madison crime lab and hired more staff to handle tens of thousands of additional samples. The agency already collects about 12,000 DNA samples from convicted felons annually. It expects to receive 25,000 samples from felony arrests and 43,000 samples from misdemeanor convictions this year because of the new law.
