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Military DNA Registry Used in Criminal Case
bubblegoose writes "The Reading Eagle has a story about a man sought in a Reading, PA. murder who was arrested Thursday in Puerto Rico. This is the first time anyone has been apprehended in a criminal case based on DNA collected by the military. Apparently the DNA registry has a stringent set of rules that must be met for a blood sample to be released and those were satisfied." The DNA registry catalogs DNA samples from all US armed forces, ostensibly for identifying remains (although if that were the only reason, the samples would be automatically destroyed at the end of the servicemember's contract.)
DNA should be used in all cases. It is our own identification and will point to the crook in all instances. Great job!
What does look worrying is the suggestion that the Military should destroy the data once the serviceperson has been discharged. If it is not being done (assuming, of course, the serviceperson were told it would be) this is simply wrong.
There's little reason to destroy the DNA markings of a living person--remember, these are folks who have gone and been paid to learn how to kill. Every last one of them, including Air Force janitors, has at least a basic understanding of how to kill someone.
Keeping some tabs on these folk throughout their entire lives isn't that bad an idea. Especially given that they're effectively still reservists for the rest of their lives.
"Dont enlist."
I hope many people take your advice. Who wants to get blood on their hands so that dubya can grab some oil and power? I also hope we don't see another draft. But with things going the way they are, it's likely that enlistment numbers will drop off at the same time that the forces "need" increased numbers.
I feel real sorry for the typical soldier who signed up to defend the US and ended up being a pawn in Bush's Fourth Reich.