A Federal Way lawmaker wants to expand the state's DNA identification system by requiring that police take a DNA sample from suspects at the time of arrest.

Rep. Mark Miloscia, D-Federal Way, presented his bill before the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee this morning, saying it would help police solve crimes. Federal Way Police Cmdr. Stan McCall testified in support of the bill.

"This bill would take the next step in the use of DNA technology; to help catch individuals who have gone out and harmed people," Miloscia said, adding that 15 states already take DNA from suspects at the time of arrest.

Legislatures across the nation are debating the issue. Currently, Washington state collects DNA from people convicted of felonies and many misdemeanor sex crimes after they are sentenced. The sample usually is taken by swabbing the inside of a person's cheek.

The ACLU and state criminal defense organizations testified against the bill, saying it would violate a suspect's constitutional right to privacy.

Miloscia's proposal would require law enforcement to take samples from all adults and juveniles arrested for a felonies or a gross misdemeanor. He said the proposal would be costly, but the state could apply for federal money. A fiscal note attached to the measure said it is unclear how much the measure would cost. The fiscal note said that a portion of the cost would be paid for by a DNA database fee charged to convicted criminals.

House lawmakers today also heard from Jayann Sepich, the mother of a New Mexico murder victim. Sepich campaigns across the country for laws allowing for DNA to be taken at the time of arrest.

"We take fingerprints, we take mug shots and we don't take DNA. I watched CSI I knew what can be done with DNA," Sepich testified.