S.1890 - Carla Walker Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Carla Walker Act (S.1890) aims to improve forensic activities by establishing a grant program for state and local entities. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to award competitive grants for DNA analysis, particularly using whole genome sequencing and genealogical databases, to generate investigative leads in criminal investigations and for identifying human remains. It also provides grants for purchasing forensic equipment to deploy forensic genetic genealogy DNA analysis and searching.
Expected Effects
The act will likely lead to increased use of forensic genetic genealogy in criminal investigations. This could result in more solved cold cases and the identification of more unidentified human remains. The grants will also incentivize forensic laboratories to adopt new technologies and improve their capabilities.
Potential Benefits
- Increased capacity for DNA analysis in state and local law enforcement.
- Potential for solving more cold cases and identifying unidentified human remains.
- Advancement of forensic technology and techniques.
- Improved collaboration between forensic laboratories and law enforcement agencies.
- Enhanced justice for victims and their families.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential privacy concerns related to the use of genealogical databases.
- Risk of misidentification or misuse of forensic genetic genealogy data.
- Financial burden on taxpayers to fund the grant program.
- Possible delays in the justice system due to increased reliance on forensic analysis.
- Ethical considerations surrounding the use of genetic information in law enforcement.
Constitutional Alignment
The Carla Walker Act appears to align with the Constitution's broad goals of establishing justice and ensuring domestic tranquility, as stated in the Preamble. The use of forensic genetic genealogy raises potential Fourth Amendment concerns regarding unreasonable searches and seizures, but the bill attempts to address these concerns by referencing the Department of Justice's Interim Policy on Forensic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Searching. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any other specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).