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"Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" LI I | PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, July 18, 2000 - § DNA samples will be taken from offenders By Rik Davie Special to the Star Persons convicted of certain offenses in Durham Region will soon provide DNA samples, along with the usual fin- gerprints and photos. Durham Regional Police forensics identification officers are preparing to begin gathering blood and saliva sam- ples from people convicted of some crimes under provisions of the recently- passed DNA Identification Act. The Act allows for persons convicted of offenses. such as sexual interference and other sexual related crimes; murder, manslaughter, causing bodily harm, assault and kidnapping to be forced to give up either a blood sample, a mouth swab or hair samples to police. At a press conference last week Const. Dave Robertson demonstrated the methods used to gather samples with the help of co-op student Matthew Brown, who enters Police Foundations at Durham College this fall. "We will wear gloves and a mask to ensure that samples remain uncontami- nated and the sample - along with the judges order and a fingerprint card - will then be sent to the RCMP where the sample will go onto one file, while the identifying material on the subject will go into another," Const. Robertson said. The samples will be identified only by two thumbprints on a card with the sample, which will protect privacy for those convicted persons. "Blood is the preferred sample," said Const. Robertson, "but a mouth swab or hair sample can be taken in their stead." The program is not voluntary, as the provision of DNA for investigations has been in the past. Under the act, police are given powers to collect the samples. And police agencies hope that the new law may help close some unsolved cases. Persons presently in jail for two years or more on offenses designated under the act can also be compelled to give samples, and Crown Attorneys may apply to have samples taken under a list of secondary charges that range from impaired driving and aircraft hijacking to child pornography and pira- cy. Const. Robertson said that special constables and bail officers will also be trained in taking the samples. "We estimate that between three and eight samples a week will be taken from persons processed in Durham courts," said Const. Robertson. "The paper work to process (the samples) will take another six hours a week." The DNA data bank will allow officers from across the country to compare and test samples in an effort to solve both old and new crimes. Knights make donations REY CORRECTION V NOTICE WE WISH TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING IN OUR CURRENT 'MORE WAYS TO SAVE' FLYER PAGE 16 - MUFFLERS COPY READS: Installed, Free installation. Free exhaust system inspection and installation SHOULD READ: Mufflers, Free installation. Free exhaust system inspection. We sincerely regret any inconven- lence we may have cause you. D329 - All Zones Meghan Le Dez RMT Relaxation & Therapeutic Treatments Pre & Post Natal Massage 76 Water Street, Port Perry (905) 985-8591 COMMUNICATION EDUCATION » PREVENTION July 22 & 23rd, 2000 Sat. 10 am -- 5 pm » Sun. 10 am - 4 pm Y 182 84010)19 1 Ou] § ON) (BD 89 0-8 B= 0 £4 DP. #% 67 WINCHESTER ROAD EAST, BROOKLIN, ON DURHAM'S LARGEST SUMMER COUNTRY CRAFT SHOW Featuring Ontario's Top Exhibitors Qi I The Best Selection of Canadian Handmade Country Treasures, Folk Art, A\\ Woodworking, Primitive Folk, Candles, Jewellery, Clothing, Bears, Dolls, Stained Glass, Florals, Country Classics, Home and Garden Decor WIN DOOR PRIZES! Free Parking, Re-entry Passes, Free Gift Bag Regular Admission ath duns Adults-$4.00 TIME Seniors-$3.00 Ari: Children-FREE! $190 (905)434-5531 www.theheartofcountry.com Scugog Community Care administrator Jenny Yorgenson, left, and Operation Scugog representative Kathryn Gundry, each received $500 on behalf of their organizations Thursday (July 13) afternoon from Knights of Columbus community director Henry Janssen. The presentation was part of the Knights' annual donations to local non-profit agencies in Scugog he. Township. ~ IS THE REGION'S , A NATURAL PAN ENVIRONMENT a -- IMPORTANT TO YOU? ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Region of Durham is considering the establishment of an Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) consisting of citizens interested in environmental issues and persons with specialized environmental expertise. The EAC would provide advice, comment and/or opinion to the Region on environmental plan- ning matters. A facilitated one-day workshop has been arranged for Saturday, September 23, 2000, at 9:00 a.m., as a forum for further public input on the draft Terms of Reference for the EAC. Background information, together with a draft Terms of Reference setting out the framework for the operation of an EAC, has been developed as a starting point for discussion. COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? Please confirm your interest in attending this workshop by contacting the EAC Co-ordinator. Please provide your mailing address and phone number so that we can advise you of the workshop location at a later date. Members of the public are invited to submit written comments on a draft terms of reference to the Regional Planning Department no later than September 15, 2000. Copies of a draft Terms of Reference and related background information are available from the Regional Planning Department during regular office hours - 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or by contacting: Chris Darling, MCIP, RPP EAC Co-ordinator Durham Region Planning Department Fourth Floor, Whitby Mall Phone: (905) 728-7731 (Whitby) or (905) 686-1651 (Toronto) Fax: (905) 436-6612 E-mail: eac@region.durham.on.ca DURHAM REGION The draft terms of reference may also be viewed on the Regional Web site at www.region.durham.on.ca