LANSING -- Under a recently passed law, prisoners are now required to give DNA samples at the beginning of their sentence, in order to collect data early and potentially solve criminal cases sooner.

Governor Rick Snyder approved the bill that requires to give the samples within three months of incarceration.  State leaders hope this will help police solve cold cases and other crimes sooner, by giving them the ability to identify suspects sooner and begin the interrogation process while the suspect is in custody.

“This is really no different than taking fingerprints,” Snyder said in a written release.  “There may be convicted criminals who are locked up in prison right now who are responsible for other unsolved crimes…  detectives will have the ability to locate these people sooner, which will bring relief to victims of violent crimes and their families.”

The state has been collecting DNA samples from prisoners since 1994, but the samples were collected when the prison was released on parole.  All prisoners are forced to submit a DNA sample, and the state has the authority to take one even if the prisoner is unwilling.

The process is also expected to save taxpayer money.  “It costs about $10 for a cotton swab DNA test.  Compare that to the cost in terms of time, effort and money it takes to investigate cold cases, and this reform just makes sense,” Senator Tonya Schuitmaker stated in a written release.