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Duma approves law on required DNA registration for all convicts, suspects

The document authorizes the expert units of Russia’s Investigative Committee to conduct the compulsory state genome registration

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. The Russian State Duma at a plenary session on Wednesday approved the third and final reading of a draft bill on compulsory registering genome data from all those convicted who are serving time, and of those suspected and accused of a crime as well as of those under administrative arrest.

Currently, genome registration is required only for those convicted and incarcerated for serious felony offenses, all categories of crimes against an individual’s sexual integrity and sexual freedom as well as for unidentified individuals whose biological material was retrieved during an investigation.

The document authorizes the expert units of Russia’s Investigative Committee to conduct the compulsory state genome registration. It may be conducted by pretrial investigation agencies and inquiry bodies jointly with internal affairs agencies or the Investigative Committee.

The adopted law also provides that genomic information on convicts and suspects, if these persons have the right to rehabilitation, shall be destroyed on the basis of an application submitted to the internal affairs body and enclosed with the court ruling to restore the relevant right. Those subjected to administrative arrest will receive the same right if a judgment on their offense was overturned.

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