By Leo Shane III
Gannett Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - A Bowling Green lawmaker wants DNA data from all convicted felons and some lesser criminals to help law enforcement officials crack unsolved cases.

Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green, thinks the information could become as important a tool as fingerprints, and will help police catch career criminals sooner. He said about half of those convicted of violent crimes have committed lesser offenses in the past.

"We will not only solve more crimes but will prevent crimes from being committed," he said. "This legislation will make Ohio safer."

Thirty-one states now collect DNA samples from all convicted felons. Ohio collects the genetic data from some felons, including sex offenders, murderers, violent criminals and people convicted of certain crimes against children. Under a bill introduced by Latta last week, the new crimes for which testing would be required include drug offenses, auto theft and fraud.

Attorney General Jim Petro already has endorsed the bill, calling it a way to make Ohio safer. John Gilchrist, legislative counsel for the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, said officials there believe putting more information in the DNA database would help solve crimes.

But civil libertarians said the proposal is invasive and ineffective.

"This is a wrong-headed, foolish effort," said Jeff Gamso, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union's Ohio Chapter. "The DNA data is who you are. There is an incredible amount of information about you that has nothing to do with solving crimes. The potential for abuse is enormous."

Gamso said the information won't be useful to police, because most criminals don't leave behind skin or blood samples. Collecting and storing it will be expensive and not worth the price, he said.

If approved, about 45,000 inmates with felony convictions would be forced to provide DNA samples. Latta estimates the program would cost $3.5 million the first year to collect that backlog, and $1.5 million to collect an estimated 30,000 samples annually after that.

About 10,000 samples are now collected each year. Latta said he hopes to get federal funding for the work.

The representative also believes the information could help clear wrongly convicted felons, by requiring the state to collect and examine their DNA.

Latta, who chairs the House Criminal Justice committee, hopes to hold hearings on the bill starting in September.