In article mailman.3.1208491715.19599.comp.arch.storage_back ,

You mentioned that it is a felony to erase a hard disk wrong. Can you
explain further? Where did you get this information from?


Mishandling of classified information is a federal crime.

Also you mentioned approved software? Does the DOD actually have a list?

Yes.


For instance if I were to create a program that states it complies to
the standards how is anyone to know that it doesnt?

They audit them.


Software like KillDisk, DBAN, and others all have the DOD option. How
am I to know that they work?

They're DoD certified.


If this is true then is is not a felony to even use certified
software(by who?) to erase a hard disk?

If you know it failed and improperly dispose of data then you're
likely to get in trouble.