California lawmakers concerned that police are failing to analyze crucial DNA evidence in rape and sexual assault crimes approved legislation last week requiring law enforcement agencies to keep detailed records of all genetic material gathered in such cases.

Under the terms of the proposed bill, law enforcement agencies would be required to submit an annual report to the state Department of Justice detailing, among other things, the number of evidence kits collected that year and how many of those were submitted to laboratories for analysis.

The California State Sheriffs' Association and groups representing laboratory directors and police department records supervisors have expressed concern that the measure would add a serious burden to staffs already hit hard by the state's fiscal crisis.

Source: Los Angeles Times