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Walker; Van Hollen Push for DNA Technology

Posted: 5:31 AM Apr 11, 2012
Reporter: WSAW Staff

Walker; Van Hollen Push for DNA Technology

Governor Scott Walker and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen are starting to play hardball when it comes to serious offenses.

They say it's time to get tougher on crime in Wisconsin with more use of DNA technology.

Together, they are announcing a plan to collect DNA at the time of arrest for some felonies and sex-related offenses.

The governor says it'll be included in a proposal in the next state budget.

It's a measure the parents of murdered UW student Brittany Zimmermann support. Zimmermann's parents were present for the announcement.

The attorney general says 25 other states and the federal government already require a DNA sample upon arrest. "DNA at arrest as the governor mentioned gives us the opportunity to get more names of people in the data bank who can be very likely linked with crimes and help us solve those crimes" said Van Hollen.

The attorney general and the governor both say it will save money by shortening investigations. They also say it will help exonerate those wrongly charged.