Florida has a staggering number of over 20,000 unsolved cases, with Duval County contributing close to 1,600 of them.
A recent bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis is now seeking to address this issue.
A new bill, HB 533, has been introduced that mandates the collection of DNA samples from all inmates. Ryan Backmann serves as the Executive Director and Founder of Project Cold Case, a non-profit organization based in Jacksonville dedicated to providing support to families affected by unsolved cases.
According to Backmann, the utilization of DNA analysis has played a vital role in resolving these cases in recent times.
In a move aimed at addressing the multitude of unresolved cases in the state, Governor Ron DeSantis officially signed HB 533 into law on March 22, 2024.
Every inmate under the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections is now required to provide a DNA sample.
At present, individuals who are incarcerated in county jails or state prisons, whether they are adults or juveniles, or have been convicted of a felony or specific misdemeanors, are required to provide a DNA sample.
However, it is worth noting that not all inmates have complied with this requirement, which is the driving force behind the recent passage of this bill.
The bill has been implemented with immediate effect, prompting the state to initiate a thorough review of individuals who are yet to submit their samples.
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