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As tv shows like 20/20, 60 Minutes, 48 Hours and Dateline have all proven over the years - DNA solves cases, both recent and ‘cold’. Heck, 20/20 just had a show about the notorious Mandy Stavik murder case in Whatcom County, Washington. That 1989 cold case was solved with DNA. The guilty culprit, Timothy Forrest Bass, started his sentence in July of this year, and he is not scheduled for release until January 2036.
Although it wasn’t the case with Bass and his DNA (which was obtained from a cup he used that was provided to police by a coworker), DNA samples are often obtained from folks when they are convicted of crimes - such as, for example, DV assault. Once obtained, these DNA samples are stored and put into a database; they can be compared to DNA samples in other unsolved crimes - present, future and past. That is if they aren’t accidentally or inadvertently destroyed - which is exactly what happened with more than 100 DNA swabs maintained by the Seattle Police Department.
Last week the SPD confessed to inexcusably destroying 107 DNA samples. The swabs, along with another 548, were being held in SPD’s evidence warehouse awaiting transfer to the WSP Crime Lab. Now the inspector general’s office has been asked to review the SPD’s screw up. Presumably there will be a modification to SPD’s policies and procedures for maintaining DNA samples prior to transport to Washington State’s ‘gatekeeper’ of DNA – the WSP Crime Lab. We shall see what transpires after the inspector general’s review.
If you or a loved one is cited, charged or arrested for a crime, it is a very smart idea to immediately hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyer. The Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested or charged for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether you are cited with an infraction or arrested and/or charged with misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or a felony, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900.