Local lawmaker proposes requiring DNA samples for all felony charges
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — In Tennessee, DNA samples are only taken from those charged with some felonies. However, state Rep. John Crawford's new bill would require them for all felonies.
According to House Bill 473, anyone arrested for a felony would have a buccal swab, a swab taken from inside the cheek, for use in future cases.
'They would give a DNA sample when they are booked in the jail,' Crawford said. 'Just like they have to get fingerprints, they have to get their picture taken.'
Crawford said his reasoning for creating the bill stems from a Kingsport cold case that was solved in 2024 following DNA testing.
'It was 27 years he got away with murder, and he probably thought he was good for life,' Crawford said. 'But by having that DNA sample on record with the technology and the things we have now, then we finally got satisfaction for that family.'
Richard Frazier, captain of criminal investigations with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, said the bill could prevent other cases from becoming cold.
'Especially if they get arrested again for any type of felony and their DNA is ran,' Frazier said. 'Hopefully it'll give a hit and then it'll pop up on our radar and we can go start the investigation with them.'
There is opposition to the bill. Defense attorney Gene Scott said the bill is a violation of privacy.
'It's overly intrusive to take people's DNA just because they're accused of something,' Scott said. 'It goes against the presumption of innocence. And I don't think anybody should be okay with it.'
The bill would also allow for the sample to be considered a condition for release, which Scott also opposes.
'To think that it's constitutional to say, 'We're going to take essentially the very essence of your selves from you just because you're arrested, if you want to make bond,'' Scott said. 'This is not right.'
Crawford said provisions are written into the bill if the felony charges are dropped.
'If they're acquitted or the charges are dropped or they're found innocent,' Scott said. 'Then everything is destroyed like it never happened.'
The bill is set to go before the House Judiciary Committee on March 12.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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