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Brianna's Law: DNA Swabs Before A Conviction

In 2008, teenager Brianna Denison was kidnapped while she slept on a friend's couch.  They found her body in a field - she had been raped and killed.  The police arrested a Sparks pipefitter for the crime, who had also been convicted of two other rapes.  Now, Brianna's family says if police had been able to swab for DNA for those earlier crimes, they would have caught the rapist earlier - and maybe prevented Brianna's death.  The state assembly just passed a bill that would allow police to take DNA swabs after an arrest.  But opponents say that's labeling someone guilty before there's a conviction, and that it violates civil liberties.  Should police be allowed to collect DNA if a person is suspected - but not convicted - of a crime?  We talk to members of Brianna Denison's family, and experts who support and oppose the bill.

 

GUESTS

Jordan Denison, Brianna's cousin

Brighton Denison, Brianna's brother

Orrin Johnson, Washoe County Public Defender

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