INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Just days after 13 Investigates uncovered skyrocketing test numbers at the Indiana Crime lab, new data shows the arrests of felons across Indiana leading to more DNA matches, even a break in a rape case.
"We did not anticipate it would be this dramatic of an effect," said Representative Greg Steuerwald, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
New data shows 72 DNA "hits" as a result of the new state law requiring anyone arrested for a felony to provide a DNA cheek swab.
The data comes just days after a 13 Investigates report that revealed 12,000 new DNA samples were added to the State's CODIS database the combined DNA Index System.
Between January and March, 13 Investigates found the number of DNA tests skyrocketing from 1,100 to 4,200 a month.
But Indiana State Police could not provide specifics about the impact on crime.
"I don't have specific information, Bursten told 13 Investigates on April 12th. "Anecdotally they tell us but is there something where we're logging and keeping a "scorecard" for a lack of a better way to put it. We don't have that level of tracking of information," he said.
Until now.
According to Bursten, the ISP Laboratory pulled together the information on Monday for lawmakers like Steuerwald.
One of the first hits was for an unsolved 2016 rape case.
"Extremely pleased and a little bit amazed," said Steuerwald about the DNA results.
Boone County Prosecutor Todd Meyer also reacted.
"I can only imagine the relief the victim in that case will feel when she gets the call that her case has been solved. Because of this law, her rapist will be taken off the streets and sent to where he belongs, prison," said Meyer.
In addition to matching people, the DNA is being tied to evidence in cold cases and pending criminal investigations.
According to the lab, there were:
126 Hits to DNA samples within CODIS from unsolved crime scene evidence.
9 of those hits are case to case matches, meaning they could be separate investigations with matches from one or more police agencies.
117 hits are new evidence profiles put into the system that match offenders already in the system.
"It's going to have an incredible effect, not only on solving crimes but also on exonerating some people who might be wrongly incarcerated," predicted Steuerwald.
At least 44 different counties have had a DNA "hit" during the first quarter of the year. The increased testing has also generated another 23 hits between Indiana and other states.
It's unclear exactly who ordered the lab to release this data following the 13 Investigates report. Steuerwald said it would be interesting to see how the numbers progress throughout the year.
(Note: Crime Lab video courtesy Indiana State Police)