CALIFORNIA DNA DATABASE HELPS NAB SERIAL KILLER
The Cal-DNA Convicted Felons data bank has helped LAPD detectives identify a suspect in a series of rapes and strangulation murders of women between 1987 and 1998. The inmate matched to the crimes by DNA evidence is currently serving a sentence for a 2002 rape conviction.
Source: "DNA Analysis Links Inmate to 12 Slayings" by Andrew Blankstein, Richard Winton and Jill Leovy; Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2004: A1
NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE TEST DRIVER'S LICENSE READERS
Now that driver's licenses in the state are being issued with magnetic strips on the back that contain data, New Mexico State Police have begun a test of handheld readers that will allow officers to swipe IDs during traffic stops to speed up the issuing of traffic citations. Two State Police officers patrolling in San Miguel, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties will participate in the pilot program to see if the readers can help shorten the 10 to 15 minutes it currently takes for the average traffic stop.
Source: "Machines Make Tickets Quicker" by T.J. Wilham; Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal, 23 Oct. 2004: E3
OHIO DATA SHARING PROJECT
As part of a $7.1 million pilot project, the Warren County, Ohio Sheriff's Office and police departments in Mason, Franklin, and Middletown have joined seven other department to share their records online statewide. The new system, paid for with a federal homeland security grant for Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention, will add about 50 departments a month until all 1,000 police agencies in Ohio are included.
Source: "Police records join statewide network" by David Eck; The Cincinnati (Ohio) Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2004: 2B
VIRGINIA PLAN FOR COMMUNICATIONS INTEROPERABILITY
Virginia Gov. Mark Warner announced the release of the commonwealth's Strategic Plan for Communications Interoperability, drafted by Virginia's first responders to improve emergency response coordination. "Virginia's strategic plan was developed by those who are on the front lines every day," said Governor Warner. "This plan will enhance tactical and strategic interoperability, aiding our first responders in those critical minutes following a tragedy."
Source: "Virginia Announces Interoperability Plan," Commonwealth of Virginia press release,
ARIZONA FUSION CENTER OPENS
On Oct. 19, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano dedicated the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC), which will be home to a coalition of 15 state, local and federal agencies created to defend the state 24/7. Among the groups housed at the 61,00-square-foot complex are the state's Terrorism Task Force, Department of Public Safety intelligence analysts, a weapons of mass destruction unit, a counterterrorism fusion center, and a computer forensics lab.
Source: “Arizona opening "1-stop shop for fighting terrorism," The Arizona Republic, 19 Oct. 2004
DNA COLD HIT SOLVES 1996 FLORIDA MURDER
A combination of dedicated detective work and a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) cold hit has helped the Jacksonville,Fla. Sheriff's Office Homicide Cold Case Team make an arrest in the 1996murder and rape of a 68-year-old widow in her apartment. The man now charged in the murder was sentenced to 10 years in prison on a drug charge nine months after the victim's slaying, and was set to be released next year.
Source: “Cold Case Work Pays Off; DNA match leads police to suspect in 1996 slaying” by Jim Schoettler; Florida Times-Union, 20 Oct. 2004: A1
