South Carolina preparing to ramp up DNA use

South Carolina is about to embark on an ambitious effort to collect DNA from tens of thousands more criminals, an effort law enforcement officials say will dramatically improve their chances of solving crimes. A new law that took effect July 1 requires all people convicted of felonies, the most serious crimes, to provide blood samples for a DNA database maintained by the State Law Enforcement Division. That includes all those already in the system, whether in prison or on probation or parole, and new offenders. [more]