[url]http://www.kyw1060.com/news_story_detail.cfm?newsitemid=29972[/url]

New Jersey governor McGreevey is expected to sign into law later this month legislation requiring most people convicted of a crime in New Jersey to provide police with a DNA sample.

Currently only those convicted of serious crimes such as murder or rape are required to provide a DNA sample.

Burlington County prosecutor Robert Bernardi says when this measure becomes law, those convicted of any indictable offense will be subjected to the DNA sample requirement:

"Burglary offenses, theft offenses of over $250, possession of a firearm, robbery -- any crime that comes to mind -- kidnapping. Those offenses now would all require DNA samples to be given upon conviction."

Bernardi says studies show that those convicted of minor crimes often move up the ladder of crimes:

"They start out with lower level offenses and then graduate to more serious offenses involving physical injury to individuals. Those individuals leave their DNA behind at a crime scene many times, and this will assist in solving previously unsolvable crimes."


A $2.00 surcharge on traffic tickets will pay for the program.