Legislation pertaining to the retention of sexual offense evidence, sponsored by Orlando Democratic State Senator Linda Stewart, passed unanimously through its first committee in the Florida Senate.
Currently, DNA evidence collected in sexual offense investigations must be submitted to a statewide criminal analysis laboratory system for forensic testing within 30 days after receipt by law enforcement, or after a request for testing is made by either the involved medical provider or law enforcement agency.
SB 764, which was requested by FDLE, builds on this existing system by allowing for DNA evidence to be safely retained for 8 years after collection in the event that the victim has chosen not to make a report to law enforcement. This evidence must be stored anonymously with a documented chain of custody, allowing the victim time to choose to report.
“Sometimes, you don’t want anyone to know what has happened to you,” said Senator Stewart. “In the event that a victim has decided they want to prosecute in the future, there will be evidence that they can go back to for prosecution. Nobody will know the name of who that evidence is being kept for, and the chain of custody will be secure for any victim seeking justice.”
The bill, SB 764, will be heard next in the Senate in the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, according to the Orlando Democrat.
