NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A bill from an East Tennessee Republican would require law enforcement to collect a DNA sample for all those arrested for felony offenses in the state.
State Rep. John Crawford (R-Bristol-Kingsport) filed House Bill 473, which would establish procedures for DNA collection and the management of biological samples by law enforcement.
If passed, anyone arrested for a felony offense in Tennessee would have a biological specimen collected before being released from custody. The arresting agency would use a buccal swab—a swab from the inside of the cheek—to collect the DNA. Then, that DNA would be sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for analysis. The DNA information would be “securely stored,” according to a release from the representative’s office, and “could aid in criminal investigations.”
“Our criminal justice system depends on having a strong forensic infrastructure so that we can increase efficiency and expedite justice for victims,” Crawford said of the bill. “This bill will help us solve cold cases but also prevent extremely dangerous individuals from committing more crimes.”
According to Crawford, the inspiration for the bill comes from a Kingsport mother who was sexually assaulted and whose 17-year-old son, James Huston, was stabbed to death in 1997. At the time of Huston’s death and his mother’s assault, DNA was collected when the scene was processed, but analysis technology wasn’t readily available.
Nearly 30 years later, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office was able to reexamine the case in such a way that resulted in the indictment of George Scott Robinson on three counts of first-degree murder in 2024 thanks to genetic DNA testing.
“For 27 years, a man got away with murder and rape,” Crawford said. “This legislation provides a critical tool that equips Tennessee’s criminal justice system with the ability to get violent people off our streets.”
The bill stipulates the TBI will establish formal procedures for the DNA collection, which law enforcement agencies must follow. If a defendant is granted bond or released on their own recognizance, providing a DNA sample will be a condition of release.
Further, the bill requires the TBI to destroy the DNA samples and related records if charges are dismissed or a defendant is acquitted, provided there are no other charges or warrants pending.
According to Crawford’s office, all 50 states collect DNA samples from certain people convicted of crimes; at least 27 states collect DNA samples when an individual is arrested for a felony or a subset of felony crimes.
If passed, Crawford’s bill is estimated to cost the state more than $3 million annually, with $3.3 million required in the first fiscal year. The fiscal note on the bill from the Tennessee General Assembly Fiscal Review Committee states the bill would require nine additional positions be staffed in order to comply with the proposed law.
DNA sample testing done by the TBI takes place at the TBI Jackson Lab, according to the fiscal note. The cost of each collection kit is $9.14. The cost of running the analysis on the collection kit is $25.41/sample. Estimates from the Fiscal Review Committee show the number of samples collected would increase by an average of 60,000 annually. Additionally, RapidDNA verification is estimated to cost $22,500 per 15,000 samples, per the fiscal note.
That increase in costs is estimated to be $2,163,000, according to the Fiscal Review Committee.
Additionally, the committee said the bill would lead to an increase in the incarcerated population in the state, which would also increase state costs.
“Increasing DNA sample testing will result in an increase in the total number of individuals incarcerated in state and local facilities, as well as the length of time an individual is housed within a state or local facility,” the note reads. “The extent and timing of any increases in state or local expenditures cannot reasonably be determined with any certainty, but could be significant.”
Crawford’s bill is set for discussion in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 12. The Senate companion legislation was recommended to the Senate Judiciary Committee in late February, though it does not yet have a date set.
