DNA Data Bank Oversight Panel
Minutes of meeting of June 9, 2021
The meeting of the DNA Data Bank Oversight Panel convened at 9:30 a.m.
Participating in the meeting were Patricia Johannes, DESPP-Forensic Lab; Megan Olt DESPP-Forensic Lab, Dr. Carl Lladd,,representing the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection/Division of Scientific Services (DESPP/DSS-Forensic Lab) David Maiga, Department of Correction (DOC); Elizabeth Tugie, Department of Correction (DOC); Janet Ainsworth, DESPP/Legal ; Joseph Lopez, Office of the Public Defender(OCPD); John Doyle, Division of Criminal Justice(DCJ), Regina Hebert, Court Support Services Division (CSSD)/Judicial Branch.
The minutes of the meeting on March 10, 2021, were unanimously approved.
(DESPP/DSS-Forensic Lab) reported that as of June 9, 2021, a total of 128,714 convicted offender samples have been submitted to the lab; 334 were received between March 1, 2021 and June 1, 2021. Of these samples, 7,191 were determined to be duplicate submissions. 121,543 convicted offender samples have been profiled and reside in CODIS as of June 1, 2021. Approximately 186 convicted offender samples are waiting to be processed/entered into CODIS as of June 1, 2021. There are 18,230 profiles in the Forensic Index. The backlog of forensic cases includes 686 assigned to the DNA Unit. DSS reported that 8,017 investigations have been aided so far by 8,148 confirmed hits. Approximately 107 candidate matches are under evaluation. The average time it takes to send out notification of the hit once it has been obtained was 18 days during the period of March 1, 2021 to June 1, 2021.Dr. Ladd informed the committee that a new version of STR software was being implemented in the DSS which would assist with CODIS entry.
(CSSD)/Judicial Branch reported that from January through March 2021 it sent 133 initial and 91 warning letters to individuals whose sentences included a period of probation to remind them of their obligation to provide DNA samples. (CSSD)/Judicial Branch sent 21 initial and 18 warning letters to individuals who were not sentenced to a period of probation. (CSSD)/Judicial Branch sent no requests for warrants to the Connecticut State Police (CSP) for individuals who failed to provide a sample and requested the Department of Correction collect three samples.
For the calendar year of 2020, (CSSD)/Judicial Branch sent 1,140 initial and warning letters in probation cases and collected 641 samples. (CSSD)/Judicial Branch indicated 105 people sentenced without probation needed to submit samples. Overall in 2020, they sent 15 requests for warrants to the CSP and requested DOC collect 17 samples.
The Department of Correction reported that it has collected 290 samples from inmates in the year to date. Currently, 99 inmates have refused to provide a sample in violation of the Connecticut General Statutes. The Department of Correction has 54 inmates from which samples need to be requested and obtained.
A representative of the Offender Registry Unit of the DESPP was unable to attend but did subsequently forward a report. The following information was provided with a report range of 3/1/2021 through 5/31/21.Since January 1, 2020 the Sex Offender Registration Unit was responsible for registering 57 new Offenders The Deadly Weapon Offender Registration Unit registered 101 new Offenders during the same time period. The Sex Offender Registry obtained 14 DNA sample during this same time period. Samples were obtained from new offenders as well as offenders who came in to the Registry to update their information and did not have a sample on record. The Registry obtained 1 DNA samples from individuals who had been convicted of a felony and reported to State Police Headquarters to submit a DNA sample per state law. The Deadly Weapon Offender Registry obtained 1 DNA samples from individuals required to register with said unit.
The Committee discussed the availability of DNA collection kits for CODIS entry. Each agency responsible for collection was advised to review kits on a regular basis to make sure they are not expired as some kits may have been unused, and manufacturing may have been delayed, during the COVID 19 pandemic.
The Committee went into executive session at 10:08 a.m. The executive session concluded at 10:17 a.m. As a result of the discussion that took place in executive session, the following actions are being taken:
Sample 6-9-21 A – Action on this sample was deferred for further investigation.
Sample 6-9-21 B – Action on this sample was deferred for further discussion.
The meeting was concluded at 11:01 a.m.
The next meeting of the Panel is scheduled for September 8, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.