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Mass. felons’ DNA test database has gaps

State fails to collect samples of 20,000

By Milton J. Valencia

 |  Globe Staff  

  March 25, 2012

State officials have failed to collect the DNA samples of nearly 20,000 convicted felons, as required by law and dictated by the courts, leaving a gaping hole in the State Police DNA database system, state public safety officials said Thursday. The lack of samples was discovered recently during the required updating of the state’s Criminal Offender Registry Information database, and it raised concern among law enforcement officials that felons were evading the law and have been going unnoticed.

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