Proposed reforms to Connecticut Criminal Justice procedures

Connecticut lawmakers, and Governor Jodi Rell have proposed changes to how criminal justice is administered in the state.

Among the reforms proposed are:

1. Improved Criminal Lineup and Identification Procedures. Witnesses should be provided with improved lineup arrays, where the officers administering the lineup do not know who is the real accused defendant. This technique has been used in other states, and eliminates biases where the officer may intentionally or unconsciously suggest who the suspect is.
2. Expanding Connecticut's DNA database. The addition of DNA samples of those arrested for criminal charges, but not convicted, would significantly increase the samples available for future matches.