The Federal Cabinet has passed a law to modernize criminal proceedings. According to the police, if they find traces of DNA at a crime scene, they will also be allowed to determine characteristics such as eye, hair and skin color as well as their age.
So far, only the sex can be queried and determined whether the DNA has already appeared in connection with other crimes. The Bundestag still has to agree to the reform. The new regulation should then also apply to past cases. (Read more about advanced DNA testing here.)
More powers in burglary investigations
Investigations on burglaries also seek to extend the powers of civil servants. In the future, e-mails and phone calls from suspects should be secretly monitored in more cases than before. So far this was only allowed if the deeds were committed as standard by a criminal gang.
In the future, surveillance should be possible even with simple home theft. The prerequisite is that the suspect is a repeat offender. In addition, the case must "weigh heavily".
Processes should be accelerated
Overall, the victim protection should be reformed. With sexual offenses also all adult victims are to be able to say by video recording.
In addition, processes should no longer be able to be extended in the long run by constantly identical requests for evidence. Applications for bias are no longer intended to interrupt the main hearing. "Even difficult processes must be carried out in a reasonable time," said Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD).
