NORMAN GAHN: DNA is making the whole criminal justice system a lot better. The John Doe Warrant– I issued the first one in Milwaukee County back in 1999. It was an interesting legal theory. And it was something that was so beneficial to so many sexual assault victims, to know that everything has been done through the legal process and taken as far as it can to hold someone accountable.
When you're dealing with victims of sexual assault, I kind of felt that they needed a form of closure. And I'm not sure I know exactly what "closure" means or when it comes about, but I did know that I had the ability and the capacity to give what I've always called, is "legal closure." So the purpose more is to try and get some scientific evidence to corroborate what your victim says.
In Wisconsin now, if you have a DNA profile of the person that you believe is the perpetrator, if you collect that evidence, develop the DNA profile, and put it in the databank and do not get a hit, then the statute of limitations is basically suspended until you do get the hit, no matter how many years later that is. It's just immeasurably important to know that, you know, that unbiased voice of science is now going to come into the courtroom. And it works both ways. I've been involved in cases here in Milwaukee County where subsequent DNA testing revealed that the person did not commit the offense.
It's a humbling experience. It causes you to step back, pause a bit, and consider what happened. There's nothing more rewarding than having a job that you seek truth and justice. Life doesn't get much better than that.
