Inspired by Colorado’s pursuit of stronger DNA preservation standards to ensure the integrity of criminal convictions, Wyoming lawmakers are moving down a similar path.
Members of that state’s House Judiciary Committee plan to explore police evidence-handling procedures and ways they can be standardized to ensure testable biological samples are available when prisoners wage innocence claims.
“There is a lot of room for error in storage alone,” said Rep. Deborah Alden, R-Wheatland. “We’ll be reviewing legislation that will set the standards for DNA testing, storage and accessibility.”
Last week, a Colorado task force created by Gov. Bill Ritter announced it will recommend a new law creating a process for storing and preserving biological materials collected in major felony crimes.
Currently, police agencies wield wide discretion in how they oversee forensic evidence, sometimes storing samples in closets or even lunchroom refrigerators. In dozens of Colorado cold cases, the specimens have been discarded or lost, derailing investigations.
“Our intent is that we’d rather get this process in order before Wyoming faces problems,” Alden said.
Last summer, Wyoming lawmakers adopted a preservation statute requiring police to retain DNA in felony cases until a prisoner dies. Now they may address storage.
“This is a multi-step process,” said Steve Holloway, director of the Wyoming State Crime Lab. “The science of DNA is a very powerful tool. It’s not the holy grail, but it’s pretty doggone close.”
Miles Moffeit: 303-954-1415 or mmoffeit@denverpost.com
