The expansion of the state investigative database of DNA samples will enhance public safety in New York, according to one of the bill’s supporters, Sen. Joseph Griffo (R-C-IP, Rome).

Griffo said that his support for the expanded DNA database legislation that was approved yesterday will require that each convicted criminal be subjected to taking of a DNA sample, vastly expanding the database.

“The current limits on who must submit a sample mean that far less than 50 percent of New York’s convicted criminals are now required to have samples in the database,” Griffo said.

“Because criminals don’t specialize, limiting DNA collection to only certain convictions doesn’t make sense. I have been advocating for an expansion of the database as a step to increasing the number of crimes we can solve, and the number of criminals who will be behind bars instead of walking the streets of our cities.”

Griffo said that he is also sensitive to concerns about access to DNA results by citizens who have been wrongfully accused. “The power of DNA evidence lies in the fact that it not only identifies the guilty, but can also exonerate the innocent. Exonerating wrongly convicted individuals is an important consideration, necessary to both instill public confidence in and ensure the integrity of the criminal justice system.”

Governor Cuomo is expected to sign the legislation into law within the next few days.

The effective date of the law would be Oct. 1.