For the past ten years the Louisiana Department of Corrections has required all inmates to provide a DNA sample when they're booked into jail. "They'll take a sample of it and keep it on record. And then if they're going to use it in an actual court of law. They'll usually send another sample to another state...say Texas. Where they'll get a confirmation from both crime labs," said DNA instructor John Packett. He's been teaching corrections officers how to collect it for the past four years. "It's very critical. It's very simple to do. But it's very meticulous. You have to have everything with precision." And officers say there's a lot to learn. '"I'm learning that the collection of the D.N.A. samples is actually a little bit harder than it seems," said Officer Dennis Kinne. Kinne works for Bossier Parish Corrections and will soon be one of four officer trained to collect DNA at his facility. "It's a little difficult trying to make sure that you do everything correctly and not get any of your body hair or if you're sweating. If it's really hot out. Anything like that'll contaminate a sample." The Louisiana Department of Corrections requires blood DNA instead of your typical cheek swab. "It just gives a little bit more accurate sample and it can be held longer," said Packett. Because collecting and maintaining accurate sample could mean the difference between serving time behind bars or setting someone free.
