SANTA CRUZ, Calif.- The crime cost the victim just over $2,000 dollars and the suspect leaves a "cigarette butt" behind. But what caught our attention? The fact a DNA sample was called for, to help solve the car theft. So we went to work, to find out how much it costs taxpayers to send some form of DNA evidence to the California Department of Justice, to be tested. We also found out how local law enforcement decide which cases are worth expensive testing.
Local law enforcement agencies told us they don't even know how much each DNA sample costs. The California Department of Justice's crime lab does the processing. But they do know it's at least a few thousand dollars every time it's done.
The sheriff's and police departments only pay for the manpower to collect the evidence, which is usually reimbursed by the CA DOJ which pays for the test itself. But Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Deputies said not every case is treated the same and the district attorney's office is in charge of deciding how urgent testing is needed.
"So they will put a priority on what DNA gets processed quicker. Homicides supersede burglary or theft," said Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Deputy and Public Information Officer April Skalland.
So which cases jump to the front of the line? Cases like missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar, where a body still hasn't been found. But investigators were able to pin down suspect Antonlin Garcia-Torres using DNA from Sierra's clothes in a bag and found her DNA in Garcia-Torres' car. Deputies said it's a powerful tool in helping them bring justice to many different types of crimes.
"DNA is being used more and more nowadays than it ever way. Deputies are able to swab different items and submit it for a DNA sample," Skalland said.
Prop 69 passed by voters in 2004, makes it easier for them to use it more often. The DOJ said the money used to pay for it comes from fines criminals are charged for a crime they committed.
"You know you're going to request everything, whether you get it or you don't get it and this deputy was obviously very dedicated to get this process done," Skalland said.
The Monterey County Sheriff's Department told us it treats cases where DNA testing is possible pretty much the same way Santa Cruz County said it does. But Salinas Police said they absolutely don't ask for DNA testing for every case. They said the only way they would request it for a car burglary, was if it was possibly tied to a homicide.
