The new session of the State Legislature will see a bill that would expand DNA testing of prisoners. Missouri law enforcement officials currently use some DNA testing. Now, there’s an effort to increase the scope of that testing to include more convicted felons. State Representative Cathy Jolly of Kansas City is co-sponsoring legislation that would do just that. Jolly says allowing police officers expanded use of DNA testing would help law enforcement authorities to solve more crimes. Jolly and law enforcement officials concede there would be a price tag attached to this effort but they believe the results justify any expenditure the effort might entail. Current state law allows for DNA samples to be taken from certain felons – including some sex offenders. This legislation would have the state take samples from all felons.
