08.09.02

Washington state firm to determine amount of unprocessed forensic DNA evidence

SEATTLE, WA -U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has selected the Tacoma, Washington firm Smith Alling Lane to help DOJ and Congress determine how much unprocessed DNA evidence exists; the evidence could be used to solve thousands of unsolved rapes and homicides.

Cantwell is the author of the Debbie Smith Act which creates a federal program to complete DNA testing on an estimated 200,000 - 500,000 unsolved rapes and homicides nation-wide.

"The study being conducted by Smith Alling Lane and Washington State University will provide decision makers with critical data on just how much unprocessed DNA evidence exists," Cantwell said. "Unanalyzed DNA evidence has the potential to deliver justice to people for whom justice is long overdue."

Smith Alling Lane received a DOJ grant to complete a comprehensive study to determine which law enforcement agencies actually have DNA related to unsolved rapes and homicides. The study will develop data showing the value of convicted offender DNA databases to solve and prevent crime.

"Rape victims and the families of homicide victims need closure. Senator Cantwell's legislation gives law enforcement the DNA resources needed to potentially close thousands of unsolved rapes and homicides in Washington State," King County, WA Sheriff Dave Reichert said. "I am also pleased that Tim Schellberg and his firm will be conducting the study to help implement Senator Cantwell's legislation. Tim and his firm have become impressive experts on forensic DNA. Tim has been a valuable advisor to my office and our task force on forensic DNA issues related to the Green River homicides investigation," Reichert said.

Tim Schellberg, a partner with Smith Alling Lane, has extensive legislative and public policy experience with forensic DNA. The project manager of the study will be Lisa Hurst of Smith Alling Lane. Washington State University's Division of Governmental Studies has been hired to complete the statistical analysis requirements of the study. Dr. Nicholas Lovrich will be managing the project for the University.

The preliminary data should be available in January 2003. A final report is expected in July 2003. "Smith Alling Lane is grateful for the opportunity to utilize its prior experience with forensic DNA to assist the federal government with its forensic DNA objectives," Tim Schellberg said.