Indianapolis, Ind. — Governor Eric Holcomb has signed a pair of measures that law enforcement officials believe will enhance their ability to build cases against criminals.
SEA 322 requires people arrested for felonies to provide a DNA sample. DNA evidence has proven to be reliable and effective in prosecuting crimes.
Boone County Prosecutor Todd Meyer says, “Taking DNA samples of convicted felons has proved effective in solving crime and making our Indiana communities safer as a result. Indiana implemented this measure almost 11 years ago. It was the right thing to do then and the right thing to do now is the passage of this legislation that authorizes law enforcement to take a DNA sample from a felony offender at the time of his arrest. This tool has already proven itself to be effective in solving crime in this state.”
HEA 1406 is a new law that allows police and prosecutors to aggregate heroin purchases over a 90-day period to reach a total certain weight. The new procedure will allow prosecutors to seek longer sentences. The bill also makes dealing heroin a non-suspend able Level 2 or 3 felonies. Additionally, the law makes theft of a controlled substance from a pharmacist while on duty a level 4 felony.
