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New Ohio Law Requires Felons to Submit DNA

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A new Ohio law requiring anyone arrested on a felony charge to submit a DNA sample has led to more than 1,400 individuals being added to a state DNA database. The law that took effect July 1 expands the database beyond offenders convicted of a felony crime.

The office of Attorney General Mike DeWine says 1,408 samples came from arrestees in July, for a total of 3,520 samples for the month. The state had been averaging about 2,500 samples a month before arrestees began submitting their DNA.

Ohio joins at least 12 other states that collect DNA from arrestees. Advocates pushed for the change as another crime-solving tool. Opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union, say it's unnecessary, ineffective and intrusive.

Stories from the Associated Press.