Governor, law enforcement agencies announce DNA collection initiative

The effort will prioritize getting samples from violent or sex offenders.

Deputy attorney general John Skidmore of the Alaska Department of Law speaks during a news conference about a new DNA collection initiative being undertaken by the state on Aug. 10, 2021. (Screenshot)

Deputy attorney general John Skidmore of the Alaska Department of Law speaks during a news conference about a new DNA collection initiative being undertaken by the state on Aug. 10, 2021. (Screenshot)

Leaders of major law enforcement agencies across Alaska, Department of Law officials and Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced a major criminal justice initiative Tuesday.

The initiative will expand DNA collection and processing for violent and sexual felonies, focusing on collecting owed DNA from more than 20,000 people, said deputy attorney general John Skidmore.

“Alaska has one of the highest sexual assault rates in the country,” Dunleavy said. “It’s not something any of us are proud of. Over the years, there have been a number of initiatives to try and work on this.”

Alaska currently has DNA for roughly 75% of people whose DNA the state is required to collect by law Dunleavy said.

[Juneau man sentenced for multiple sexual assaults]

“The administration is prioritizing who we will go after first. The areas that we’re going to start with are those that were convicted of a felony crime against a person. We talked about this large number, that was 20,000,” Skidmore said. “There are less than 600 that are felony crimes against a person where there’s DNA owed and that’s where we’re going to start our efforts, and then we’re going to expand from there as we set priorities about who we think are the most significant people that we have the collection from.”

By prioritizing collecting DNA from those of interest in felony crimes, the government hopes to be able to bring closure to crimes- and to victims- as rapidly as possible, Skidmore, pointing to a cold case sexual assault in Kenai that was solved in 2020 with the aid of DNA evidence.

“Oftentimes, an individual that is involved in a sexual assault, it’s not the first time, it’s not the last time,” Dunleavy said. “We want it to be the last time. We don’t want it to happen at all but we certainly want it to be the last time.”

A separate statute from the mandate to collect DNA in felony cases will make refusal to submit DNA for a conviction requiring it a Class C felony, Skidmore said.

“We want to get the kits processed timely. We want to get back to victims timely. And we want to collect this other DNA to help us solve those crimes,” Skidmore said. “We know that collecting this DNA in combination with processing the [sexual assault] kits faster will aid us.”

A number of personnel in relevant organizations, including the Department of Public Safety, Department of Corrections, Anchorage Police Department and victim’s advocacy organizations among others spoke as well.

“We will be working with local and state law enforcement agencies to locate these individuals and collect their DNA,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jim Cockrell during the news conference. “Our number one priority will be violent offenders and sex offenders.”

DOC will focus on collecting from three different groups of people falling under the convictions requiring a DNA sample, Dahlstrom said: those currently incarcerated, those out on probation or parole for a related conviction and those being booked for a charge that requires a DNA sample.

“Over the years, DOC has collected tens of thousands of DNA samples,” Dahlstrom said. “We’re going to collect DNA and make sure the samples get to the crime lab for analysis.”

The move is one of a series of high-profile efforts to stem Alaska’s rates of sexual assault, which occurs at a reported rate as high as four times the national average in recent years, the highest in the country.

“We’re going to be looking at our laws. We’re going to be looking at sex trafficking. We’re going to be looking at abuse of children. This is a huge undertaking,” Dunleavy said. “This is just one step of a series of steps that we’ve taken and we’ll continue to take. This goal is for Alaska to no longer be known as one of the top states for sexual assault.”

State lawmakers at the news conference echoed the sentiment.

“I have a vision that I will wake up one day in Alaska when we don’t lead the nation in rates of domestic violence. and sexual assault,” said Alaska state Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, during the news conference. “I think this is a step that’s going to get us there.”

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 3

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

“I voted” stickers featuring Tlingit artwork by James Johnson are displayed on a table at an early voting station at the Mendenhall Mall annex Oct. 30. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
In ballot issues, voting and democracy are having a moment

While other states consider implementing ranked choice voting, Alaska may be first state to repeal it.

A docked cruise ship, the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, is seen in Seward’s harbor on June 19 from the Race Point on Mount Marathon. The Port of Seward received a Clean Ports Program grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for a shore-based system to power cruise ships when they are docked in town. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Seward gets grant for shore-based system to power docked cruise ships

Town on track to be second in Alaska, after Juneau, to provide such facilities.

El Sombrero opens the doors of its downtown restaurant for the final time Saturday after 45 years at the location. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
El Sombrero says ‘hasta luego’ by closing restaurant after 45 years, with plans to open food truck

Downtown eatery owned by family for three generations who grew up alongside their customers.

Nesbett Courthouse in downtown Anchorage on Oct. 7, 2024. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
After controversial correspondence school decision, Anchorage judge faces voters in election

Adolf Zeman is one of 19 judges on Alaska’s ballots, but he’s the only one with a campaign against him.

The outcome of the struggle for control of both the House and Senate will have sweeping implications for the country’s future. Shown is the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 9, 2024. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)
Will control of Congress shift? The results hinge on a handful of states and races

Narrow Republican Senate majority would allow Murkowski to wield outsized influence, expert says.

A sign on Egan Drive reminds motorists at midday Friday a lower seasonal speed limit is in effect in an attempt to reduce collisions at the Fred Meyer intersection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Reduced 45 mph speed limit goes into effect on Egan Drive in vicinity of Fred Meyer intersection

Change in effect until Jan. 31 intended to improve safety; JPD reports normal number of traffic stops.

People voting ahead of Election Day line up inside the Mendenhall Mall annex on Friday, Oct. 25. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Juneau an afterthought for candidates ahead of Tuesday’s election, but early voting at a record pace

Toss-up U.S. House race, minimum wage increase, repeal of ranked choice voting on ballot.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by record flooding Aug. 6 to a delegation of municipal, tribal and federal officials on Aug. 11. The City and Borough of Juneau is considering a memorandum of agreement with the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska for public safety issues such as emergency response, plus a similar agreement involving solid waste operations.
City leaders, Tlingit and Haida considering operational pacts for public safety, solid waste

Assembly members Monday will also discuss flood barriers, short-term rentals, homeless.

Most Read