Title
Urging the General Assembly of Pennsylvania to pass House Bill 1462, introduced by Rep. Gabig of Cumberland County, which would require all local officials to share DNA samples of missing persons with the state police.
Body
WHEREAS, Under this bill, Law enforcement agencies, coroners and medical examiners shall, with respect to unidentified deceased persons (including children), have to make an entry into the Unidentified Deceased Person file through the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN); and
WHEREAS, This will be in accordance with Pennsylvania State Police policy and procedures immediately upon observing or receiving any descriptive information or an unidentified deceased person; and
WHEREAS, Under this bill the Pennsylvania State Police duties will include, to develop a model kit to take and receive DNA samples and items submitted from parents, relatives and other appropriate persons, to conduct DNA analysis of samples and items submitted including nuclear and mitochondrial DNA typing and finally notifying the submitting law enforcement agency when a missing person is located or identified utilizing DNA; and
WHEREAS, Recent missing persons' cases such as those involving Latoya Figueroa, Natalee Holloway, Bobby Borschell, LaToyia Bird and Unisha "Neciey" Jefferson have generated National and Local attention including various news reports and new and pending legislation;
WHEREAS, On September 22, 2005, the Council of the City of Philadelphia declared the week of October 29th thru November 4th as Philadelphia Missing Persons Awareness Week and on November 5, 2005 held the first Missing Person Awareness Conference; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has over 500 missing person reports (400 Juvenile and 100 adults) and the Medical Examiner office currently has 12 unidentified bodies; and
WHEREAS, With the attention of high profile cases, the Philadelphia Missing Persons Conference and testimony given in City ...
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