SPARTANBURG, S.C. - An Upstate lawmaker wants to expand South Carolina's DNA database to include anyone convicted of a felony.

The database was created in 2000 to track sex-related offenders. The database has been expanded several times to keep information on all violent criminals.

Rep. Phillip Owens, R-Pickens, said expanding the law to include all felons would increase law enforcement's ability to solve crimes.

"It has broad support from law enforcement and victim's groups," Owens said. "An all-convicted-felon program in our state would solve additional crimes and provide support to law enforcement."

About 23 states have laws requiring all felons to submit DNA samples.

Police favor DNA sampling because it is a more detailed scientific method than fingerprinting.

The American Civil Liberties Union opposes DNA sampling, saying it is a violation of privacy.

Information from: Herald-Journal