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California Initiative to Expand DNA Database

Posted by michael on from the we-promise-it-will-only-be-used-for-good dept.

vervais_sucks writes "A California attorney is personally bankrolling, to the sum of $1.3m, an initiative to require law enforcement to take DNA samples of every person they arrest for a felony." The (lengthy) initiative is available here (search for DNA on the page).

9 of 386 comments (clear)

  1. Look on the bright side by magefile · · Score: 2, Funny

    No one wants their DNA in a database, right? Maybe it'll act as a deterrent! (Laugh, it's funny)

  2. Why stop there? by Ninwa · · Score: 2, Funny

    Come on, do it already. Take and store DNA samples when we're born, you know you want to.

  3. Everyone they arrest? by MacFury · · Score: 5, Funny
    What if you are arrested but innocent and subsequently not convicted of the original crime you were arrested for? Would they have to destroy the sample?

    Perhaps some cop looking for a promotion would just plant some DNA evidence at the scene to make sure you get convicted.

    I'd have to say if a cop told me to give him a DNA sample, I'd respond "blow me" :-)

    1. Re:Everyone they arrest? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      I'd have to say if a cop told me to give him a DNA sample, I'd respond "blow me"

      Well... that would be one way for them to get it.

  4. There is a brighter side to all of this by Tim_F · · Score: 2, Funny

    Scientists will now be able to predetermine criminal behaviour in individuals based on their DNA. At or before birth doctors will be able to tell parents wether or not their children will be predisposed to becoming criminals. THis will be a good thing for society.

  5. Let's start with the politicians by PaK_Phoenix · · Score: 3, Funny

    Let's make DNA swabbing a requirement to get into public office, and see just how bad they want it.

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  6. Re:Criminals aren't the only ones! by Stonent1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you think that's bad, my mom made my dad give her a DNA sample before she would have his kid!

  7. Re:I agree with this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Reason #100495483 to never travel to The South.

  8. Now, here's a thought.... by Calibax · · Score: 3, Funny

    1. Go to a bar.
    2. Gather stray hairs, saliva from glasses, or whatever other organic bits you can find and place in bag. Yes, gross, I know.
    3. Commit a felony and scatter the contents of said bag.
    4. Watch police arrest innocents.

    Alternatively, replace items 1 and 2 above with:
    1/2 Obtain samples from someone you have a grudge against... some blood would be really nice.

    It's not easy to plant fingerprints at the scene of a crime. What are the chances that if this becomes standard crooks will be scattering DNA at crime scenes like confetti at a wedding.

    Just remember what happened recently to the Oregon lawyer who was unlucky enough to have a fingerprint fairly close to that of terrorist suspect. A false positive match put him in prison for some weeks as a "material witness" and he was only released when Spanish police made a match to another person. There was no evidence against the guy, apart from the fingerprint.

    I suspect it will be much worse with a false positive (or planted) DNA.