State prisons collect DNA samples from inmates

LANSING (AP) -- Michigan prison officials have finished collecting DNA samples of inmates as required under a new state law. The Department of Corrections said Tuesday it has collected samples from almost 5,000 prisoners who previously had not submitted samples. The collection took less than 11 weeks. The law requiring Michigan prison inmates to submit to DNA testing soon after they're locked up was signed by Gov. Rick Snyder in July. The state began collecting inmates' DNA samples in 1994. But inmates previously weren't required to provide a sample until they're released on parole, placed in a halfway house or discharged after serving sentences. Supporters say the new law will help police solve cold cases sooner by giving them the ability to match inmates' DNA to unsolved crimes while they're still in prison. Published: Thu, Oct 6, 2011