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58 Wash. & Lee L. Rev. 1585 (2001)
Using DNA Profiles to Obtain John Doe Arrest Warrants and Indictments

handle is hein.journals/waslee58 and id is 1595 raw text is: Using DNA Profiles to Obtain John Doe
Arrest Warrants and Indictments
Frank B. Ulmer*
Table of Contents
I.  Introduction  ......................................  1586
II. DNA Profiling Teclmology .......................... 1590
A. Scientific Underpinnings ........................ 1590
B. Forensic Use of DNA in Courts ................... 1593
IlI. Warrant and Indictment Requirements .................. 1599
A. Federal and State Code Provisions Regarding Suspect
Identification in Arrest Warrants or Indictments ....... 1599
B. Courts' Decisions Regarding Sufficiency of Description
in Arrest W arrant  .............................. 1603
C. Courts' Decisions Regarding Sufficiency of Indictment  1606
D. Do DNA Warrants and Indictments Satisfy
Reasonable Certainty Standard? .................. 1608
E. The Notice Function of Warrants and Indictments ...... 1610
IV. Statutes of Limitations and DNA Warrant End-Run ........ 1611
A. History of Statutes of Limitations .................. 1611
B. Purposes of Statutes of Limitations ................. 1613
1. Enabling Prosecutions to Be Based on Fresh
Evidence  .................................  1613
2.  Promoting Repose  .......................... 1615
3. Forgiveness and the Reduced Need for Punishment .. 1615
4. Encouraging Prompt Investigation of Crimes ...... 1616
C. Using DNA Warrants and Indictments to Circumvent
Statutes of Limitations  .......................... 1617
D. State Legislatures Are Taking Action ............... 1621
V.  Conclusion  ......................................  1623
* The author would like to thank Professor Darryl K. Brown and Ross Goldstein for
their help in the development of this Note.

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