Victims Urge Georgia to Improve Funding for Forensic DNA

ATLANTA, Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Victims of crimes and their families met to discuss the need for immediate action in support of better funding for the Georgia forensic DNA program.   Debbie Smith, an outspoken rape survivor and namesake of the federal Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Elimination Act, was joined by Jayann Sepich, mother of murder victim Katie Sepich, namesake of Katie's Law -- both in Atlanta to meet with the parents of murder victim Johnia Berry (Mike and Joan Berry) and Savanna rape victim Susan Cash.  The Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault (GNESA) hosted the discussion of the importance of federal funding in reducing Georgia's backlog of unsolved cases, and the dire need for the State to provide improved funding for its DNA program.   

GNESA's Executive Director, Jennifer Bivins, noted that Georgia's DNA program provides victims with an important step forward in their healing process when attackers are named through DNA.  But Georgia's commitment to state funding pales in comparison with that of other state labs, currently represented in Atlanta at the AAFS meeting, as most states in the country provide significantly stronger support for their DNA analysts.  Mrs. Smith declared, "It is so important for DNA labs to receive adequate state funding.  The public safety of their residents relies on it." 

The Berrys have lobbied for several years for a law to improve the state DNA database program.  "Every year we've been told that this bill is not feasible until the DNA program is better funded.  Every year we come back, and the lab is no better funded.  Enough is enough.  We need to do everything possible to fix this situation.  Crime victims in Georgia deserve better, and we know our state legislators will agree."

Mrs. Cash (whose 1985 rape is pending a specialized DNA test) noted that Georgia has a strong history with DNA, "But it would be an injustice to victims if this backlog money is used not to improve backlogs but merely to keep the Georgia DNA program afloat.  Our forensic experts deserve better treatment.  Our victims deserve better."  Ms. Sepich agreed, "Studies show that investing in DNA is worth it.  Forget the lives that can be saved – the city of Denver found a $90 return on investment for every dollar spent on DNA.  How much money is Georgia losing by not making this investment?"

Mrs. Smith closed by pleading, "The federal money was never meant to replace the state's responsibility to its victims and other citizens.  To ignore the basic personnel needs of this program undermines the important strides forward that we have made with DNA and allows backlogs to build, criminal cases to remain unsolved, victims to remain in fear of their unknown attacker, and those attackers to remain on the streets."

SOURCE Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault