MARYLAND’S DNA DATABASE RECORDS 3,500th HIT

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced another milestone for Maryland’s DNA database, highlighting its role as an invaluable tool in the State’s success in driving down violent crime and homicide to three decade lows and in achieving the State’s goal to reduce violent crime by 20 percent by 2018.

Maryland’s DNA database, housed at the State Police Forensic Sciences Division laboratory, has now resulted in 3,500 positive comparisons, or “hits,” as they are commonly referred to. A positive comparison occurs when DNA obtained from a crime victim or scene is matched with either a known offender sample or DNA from another crime scene that is on file in Maryland’s DNA database, or CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, which enables access to the national database.

On June 11, 2014, scientists at the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division forwarded information to detectives at a law enforcement agency in Southern Maryland that the 3,500th positive DNA comparison through the use of Maryland’s DNA database was connected to an open felony crime they are investigating. Specifics in this case cannot be made known at this time because the investigation is ongoing and the suspect has not been charged.

“We continue to see the tremendous impact the integration of science and technology has in our public safety strategy,” Governor Martin O’Malley said. “Thanks to the collective, dedicated efforts of law enforcement and correctional officers, sheriff’s deputies, detention center personnel, and the members of the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division laboratory, Maryland’s DNA database has become a vital tool in our ongoing fight to reduce violent crime in our state.”

Maryland’s DNA database was established by law in 1994 and the first positive comparison occurred in 1998. It was eight years later, in August 2006, when State Police scientists reached the 500th hit.

Twenty-three months later, Governor O’Malley announced the 1,000th hit, in July 2008. Fifteen months later, in October 2009, another 500 positive comparisons were reached.
The 2,000th positive comparison mark was reached in January 2011. The 3,000th positive comparison was made in June of last year and involved a burglary investigation in Baltimore City.

As of May 2014, there were 112,036 convicted offender samples in the statewide DNA database. Current Maryland law requires all persons convicted of a felony, fourth degree burglary, or breaking/entering of a motor vehicle to submit a DNA sample that becomes part of the DNA database.

On January 1, 2009, legislation proposed and signed into law by Governor O’Malley took effect that requires those arrested and charged with qualifying violent crimes, or 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burglaries and attempts to commit those crimes, to submit a DNA sample. As of May 2014, there were 23,851 DNA samples in this database. There have been 362 positive DNA comparisons (100 more than this time last year) as a result of this law, which was upheld by the United States Supreme Court. This has a direct impact on crime because it gives police the ability to take criminals off the street sooner and before they get involved in further criminal activity.

In addition to Governor O’Malley’s support, the success of the statewide DNA database is due to the diligent efforts and cooperation of many individuals. They include the personnel of the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division and those in local police DNA laboratories, as well as the cooperative collection efforts by the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, the Department of Parole and Probation, sheriff’s offices and detention centers across the state, and Maryland’s district and circuit court systems.