Armstrong sponsors bill to fund DNA testing to help solve crimes

U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) introduced legislation on Dec. 15 that would allow the U.S. Department of Justice to issue grants for law enforcement agencies to deploy DNA analysis and help solve more crimes, including cold cases.

The congressman noted that more than 270,000 homicide cases remain unsolved in the United States. “Many families are left with unanswered questions about the loss of their loved ones. My legislation will help state, local, and tribal governments deploy DNA testing to solve cases, get it right, and make sure justice is delivered,” he said.

Rep. Armstrong sponsored the Carla Walker Act of 2022, a bill that would establish a grant program for state, local, and tribal government agencies to deploy advanced forensic genetic genealogical (FGG) DNA analysis. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

The legislation is named after Carla Walker, a homicide victim who was abducted in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1974, at the age of 17, Rep. Armstrong’s office said. Her case went unsolved for more than 46 years, but in 2020, DNA evidence was examined using advanced DNA testing technologies, and her murderer was arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

The use of advanced FGG DNA analysis utilizes emerging technologies that can help identify criminals and unidentified victims, and clear wrongly accused suspects, while bringing certainty to family members wanting answers.

The legislation is supported by the National Fraternal Order of Police.

“Your legislation would authorize a grant program that would provide certain eligible recipients, like law enforcement agencies and medical examiners, funds to facilitate FGG DNA analysis in furtherance of criminal investigations,” Patrick Yoes, national president of the National Fraternal Order of Police, said in a Dec. 15 letter of support to Rep. Armstrong. “With this funding, agencies would be better able to solve these crimes—including older, cold cases—and bring answers to families and victims who may have been waiting many years for justice to be done.”