SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5651

BYSenators Pullen, Talmadge, Owen, Nelson, Thorsness and Hayner; by request of Attorney General

Continuing the homicide information and tracking system.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 8, 1989; February 28, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Hayner, Nelson, Niemi, Rasmussen, Rinehart, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Cliff Petersen (786-7457)

                  February 28, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 6, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5651 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Matson, Moore, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Randy Hodgins (786-7438)

                  March 7, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 6, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Attorney General's office through a two-year National Institute of Justice grant is conducting research and developing a Homicide Information and Tracking System (HITS).

Current research is focusing on examining each of the 1,400 homicide cases that occurred in the state of Washington between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1986.  Using the data, an examination is made of the critical solvability factors present in homicide investigations and an identification of the salient characteristics of murder.  The record information unique to a particular suspect is also being analyzed to determine if a suspect or piece of evidence is associated with murder cases in jurisdictions statewide.

It is suggested that the continuation of the tracking system will aid in improving investigative understanding of homicide, homicide management, and coordination of information between agencies.

SUMMARY:

Specific authorization is provided for the continuation of the homicide information and tracking system within the Attorney General's office.

The Attorney General is to report to the Legislature by January, 1991 on the HITS program and on the feasibility of expanding the system to include rape, robbery and arson.  The report is also to include a systems analysis that includes utilization of the incident based reporting system and the criminal information system.

Specific rules and procedures for the collection, analysis, storage and use of homicide information are to be promulgated in order to provide adequate safeguards and protect the privacy interests of those affected.

Any criminal justice agency having primary responsibility for the investigation of homicide is to furnish information to the Attorney General on any suspected murder.  The agencies are requested to provide the information within 30 days of their discovery.  It is recommended that terminations of investigations be reported, along with the reasons, within 30 days of termination.  Criminal justice agencies are requested to report information on suspected murders which occurred in the one year prior to the effective date.  Assistance in completing the necessary forms is to be provided by the Attorney General.

The information collected is to be entered into a computerized file and the Attorney General is to compare the information for the purpose of discovering similarities in criminal methods or characteristics.  If similar methods or characteristics are discovered, the Attorney General is to inform the concerned agency.

Confidentiality of information is provided and the use of the data is for the sole purpose of providing murder analysis results to criminal justice agencies.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED LAW & JUSTICE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT:

The requirement that local criminal justice agencies must furnish information to the Attorney General on any suspected murder is modified and permissive language is added which states that the agencies may furnish such information to the Attorney General.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The previously adopted amendment is incorporated which makes permissive the requirement that local criminal justice agencies furnish specified information to the Attorney General.

Any federal funds which may be available for the Homicide Information and Tracking System must be spent prior to expending state funds.

The appropriation is deleted and the measure is made contingent upon funding in the state budget.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: LAW & JUSTICE:  Ken Eikenberry, Attorney General (pro); Bob Keppel, Attorney General's office (pro)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Ken Eikenberry, Attorney General (pro); Bob Keppel, Attorney General's office (pro)