CODIS COLD HIT LEADS TO ARREST IN DOUBLE MURDER
A Combined DNA index system (CODIS) cold hit has led to an arrest in the Jan. 7 stabbing of a woman and her 12-year-old daughter in their Woburn, Mass., apartment. The man charged with the murders was in CODIS because of a 1989 conviction for the rape of a child, and apparently knew the victims. The Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab worked hard to process DNA evidence that led to the cold hit.
Source: “Lowell man arrested in Woburn double slaying” by Dana Willhoit; Lowell (MA) Sun, 17 Jan. 2004
UTAH RADIO UPGRADE PLANNED
A communications overhaul will connect Utah's rural communities, currently operating on 150 megahertz, with public safety radio frequencies upgraded to 800 megahertz for the 2002 Winter Olympics by nine counties along on the Wasatch Front. Adding transmitters to mountain tops will make the system accessible to the rest of the state, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's SAFECOM program and the Utah Communications Agency Network (UCAN).
Source: “Upgrade is near for public safety radio network” by Derek P. Jensen; The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Jan. 2004: B2
NEW YORK STATE DNA DATABANK SUCCESS
Since the New York State DNA Databank became operational in April 2000 it has been used to solve 135 burglaries, 730 sex offenses, 65 murders or attempted murders, 28 robberies and 17 assaults. Not only has the database been used to solve brutal slayings, it has also proved the innocence, in some cases, of those convicted unfairly of crimes.
Source: “Database credited with solving cases” by Michele Morgan Bolton; The Times Union (Albany, NY), 16 Jan. 2004: A18
JAN. 31 DEADLINE FOR STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PLANS
While state homeland security plans are expected to be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security by the Jan. 31 deadline required by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the deadline for submitting raw threat assessment data has been lifted because local officials across the country have used different standards in identifying potential targets and threats. The state threat assessments will be compiled to create a national threat analysis, which will then be used to allocate homeland security grants to states.
Source: "States submit homeland security plans" by Joe Fiorill; Govexec.com, 30 Jan. 2004, online at http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0104/013004gsn1.htm
WASHOE COUNTY (NV) INTERNET CRIMES UNIT
The Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Washoe County (Nevada) Sheriff's Office has arrested 15 suspects since October. The department has posted a list of Internet Safety Tips to teach children and their families about the growing presence of sexual predators online.
Source: “Internet crimes unit makes 15th bust in past 4 months;” Reno Gazette-Journal, 30 Jan. 2004: 5F
STATE SPENDING ON WIRELESS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
States are proposing various methods to improve interoperable wireless communications for first responders. Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner has proposed $12 million to upgrade the state's 800 MHz system, and Detroit officials are hoping to build a $100 million 800 MHz system for the region. Arizona is developing a much less expensive pod communications system that links existing systems through portable stations.
Source: "Cities, states spend millions on wireless" by Diane Frank; Government e-business, 26 Jan. 2004, online at http://www.fcw.com/geb/articles/2004/0126/web-comm-01-26-04.asp
