Governor Susana Martinez visited the Metropolitan Forensic Science Center at the Albuquerque Police Department Crime Lab today to discuss the state’s success in putting more criminals behind bars thanks to the expanded version of Katie’s Law that took effect last year. As one of her first initiatives after taking office, Governor Martinez endorsed the expansion of the legislation that she worked to pass as a District Attorney to require a DNA sample taken from any individual arrested for a felony crime in New Mexico. Previously, DNA samples were only taken from those arrested for a subset of more serious felony crimes. Among the increased DNA matches that have occurred under the expanded version of the law, over 80 percent (five out of six) murder case matches that were credited to Katie’s Law since July 1, 2011 were a result of DNA collections required under the new provisions.
“Katie’s Law has proven to be a critical tool for law enforcement as we work to make New Mexico safer for our children and families,” said Governor Martinez. “Thanks to the expanded version of Katie’s Law which requires a DNA sample from anyone arrested for a felony, we have seen a remarkable rise in DNA matches that have allowed us to put more criminals behind bars. I’m proud that we are leading the country in cracking down on criminals through DNA matches. New Mexico now has one of the toughest versions of Katie’s Law in the country – and it’s working.”
Since July 1, 2011, the expanded version of Katie's Law accounts for:
- 5 of 6 homicide DNA matches
- 3 of 9 sex crime matches
- 28 of 59 burglary matches
- 3 out of 3 auto theft matches
- 45 of 94 total DNA matches
- A 92 percent increase in cases matched to arrestees
“The rise in convictions based on the expanded version of Katie’s Law proves that someone who commits a non-violent felony today can often be a violent criminal as well,” added Jayann Sepich, whose daughter Katie is the namesake for the legislation. “In New Mexico and across the country, we are seeing that individuals who commit forgery, fraud, and other non-violent crimes can also be murderers. New Mexico is a leader in putting criminals behind bars thanks to DNA matching and I’m proud that our efforts here might lead other states to create or toughen their own version of Katie’s Law.”
Katie’s Law was enacted in 2006, nearly three years after New Mexico State University student Katie Sepich was brutally raped and murdered. Though her murderer left behind traces of DNA under Katie’s fingernails, New Mexico did not at the time allow for DNA to be collected upon arrest. While the 2006 version of Katie’s Law allowed for DNA collection upon arrest for certain felony crimes, the expansion signed into law by Governor Martinez in April 2011 requires a DNA sample from anyone arrested for a felony in New Mexico.
Martinez: Katie's Law Extension is Working
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