The California Supreme Court has authorized arrest warrants that contain only a DNA profile of the suspect (known as “John Doe” arrest warrants). The Court last week upheld the rape conviction of Paul Robinson, who was arrested a month after the six-year statute of limitations expired on the case. In a 5-2 decision, the justices said an arrest warrant without Robinson’s name but with his DNA profile issued before the expiration is valid. The Court ruled that a DNA profile is specific enough to justify an arrest warrant.
The case is: People v. Robinson Ct.App. 3 C044703, Sacramento County, Super. Ct. No. 00F06871