DNA Collection Helps Solve Crimes

Madison County Probation Helps ID Suspects in Two Sexual Assaults

Martha E. Conway

(County Seat – Dec. 18, 2009) Director of Probation Karen Birch reported to the Criminal Justice/Public Safety Committee last week that Madison County Probation’s contributions to the state’s DNA collection program have resulted in the identification of suspects in two sexual assaults.

“In 2006, the state DNA law went into effect mandating probation departments to collect swabs and send them to Albany for its database,” Birch told the committee. “More than 100,000 samples have been collected from around the state since 2006, and it has turned out to be a very effective crime-fighting tool.”

According to Birch, as a result of the data collected in Albany, 78 homicides and 858 other serious crimes have been solved.

“And that includes two sexual assaults that were solved from Madison County Probation caseloads,” Birch said.

The DNA law requires that probation departments across the state collect DNA swabs from anyone convicted of a felony, except for felony driving while intoxicated charges. There are 34 misdemeanor charges that also require DNA samples.

“We recently were recognized for having a 100-percent collection rate,” Birch said, presenting to the board a plaque received from the state. “Ironically, when I called to order more test kits, I was told by [the Division of Criminal Justice Services] that because of funding cuts, they have to cut down on the kits provided.”

Birch said her department also received a second award for 100-percent compliance with the state’s annual mandated training requirements for sworn personnel in 2008.

DWI Patrols to Resume

STOP DWI Coordinator Steve Goodfriend said an ongoing situation with the STOP DWI Program’s contributions to a DWI patrol is likely resolved.

“As of Dec. 4, there is a little more than $19,000 not used in the DWI road patrol line,” Goodfriend said.

The plan now, he said, is to give some full-time road patrol personnel overtime to conduct the DWI patrols for the rest of the year, though that won’t require all the money. He suggested the balance be distributed among the program’s partner agencies – the District Attorney’s Office, Department of Mental Health and Probation Department.

“If the sheriff’s department hasn’t stepped up by March, we will have to act [to hire a new dedicated DWI patrol officer],” Goodfriend said.

The position with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has been vacant since late 2008, due to the long-term illness of the dedicated officer.

Supervisors said they felt the plan was well-timed to combat problems that arise during the holiday season and seasonal partying.

Goodfriend also reported a very successful SADD conference. He said 51 students and 10 faculty/advisors attended the event; only Hamilton, Brookfield and DeRuyter did not participate, he said. He said he has received about half the reviews from students so far, and most are overwhelmingly positive.

According to Goodfriend, area educational institutes are reporting more often that the major problem on campus is drugs, not alcohol.

“We really need to address the marijuana problem,” Goodfriend said. “It is easy to get and has an aura of being a ‘not-bad drug.’”

In other Criminal Justice business

Renee Smith, director of the Children’s Advocacy Center, reported a local entertainer who does an annual fundraiser for various causes has identified the CAC as the organization to receive the proceeds from the 2010 event scheduled for May.

“They want our project to be the beneficiary,” Smith said.

Martha E. Conway is Managing Editor for the Madison County Courier. She can be reached at 315.813.0124 or by emailing Martha@m3pmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/marthaeconway or become a friend on Facebook at http://facebook.com/meconway.

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DNA Collection Helps Solve Crimes

Madison County Probation Helps ID Suspects in Two Sexual Assaults

DWI Patrols to Resume

In other Criminal Justice business

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