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What Will We Do With Innocent People's DNA?

Posted by timothy on from the if-you-have-nothing-to-hide dept.

NevDull writes "As creepy as it may be to deal with identity theft from corporate databases, imagine being swabbed for DNA samples as a suspect in a crime, being vindicated by that sample, and never even being told why you were suspected. This article discusses a man, Roger Valadez, who's fighting both to have his DNA sample and its profile purged from government records, and to find out why he and his DNA were searched in the BTK case. DA Nola Foulston said, 'I think some people are overwrought about their concerns.' -- convenient as she wasn't the one probed without explanation. The article then mentions that 'In California, police will be able in 2008 to take DNA samples from anyone arrested for a felony, whether the person is convicted or not, under a law approved by voters in November.' What will be the disposition of the DNA of the innocent?"

7 of 595 comments (clear)

  1. The solution is easy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Clone the innocent people. Eventually the ratio of innocent to guilty people will be through the roof, OMG.

  2. What do to with innocent people's DNA by pHatidic · · Score: 5, Funny

    We keep their DNA sample, and then plant some at the crime scene the next time we kill someone. Wow that was the easiest ask slashdot ever.

  3. I shall use it to create by darth_MALL · · Score: 5, Funny

    A Grand Army Of the Republic!

    No bad can come of that...right?

  4. Re:Clone Them by Sneftel · · Score: 4, Funny

    We can use this DNA to create a super-race of people who aren't guilty of crimes!

    Close.... a super-race of people who aren't guilty of crimes, but are really suspicious-looking.

    --
    The opinions stated herein do not necessarily represent those of anybody at all. Deal with it.
  5. Re:Nothing to Fear by neil.pearce · · Score: 3, Funny

    Drunken one-night stand?
    Obviously this rarely applies on Slashdot...

  6. Re:Nothing to Fear by ackthpt · · Score: 3, Funny
    (Puts on tin-foil hat) They could also compare DNA to aptitude tests, and found out what genetically makes a soldier good. Not that this would be used for making gentically modified soldiers (god forbid), but it could come in useful when recruiting.

    "This one's cut out for Navy SEAL!"
    "How do you know?"
    "DNA shows high strength, agility, good swimmer and an excellent natural armor class"

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  7. Re:Nothing to Fear by ackthpt · · Score: 3, Funny
    Kind of makes you wonder what Lee Harvey Oswald III is up to nowadays.

    President. The real George W. Bush's body is in the concrete foundation of Arlington Stadium. It's all a very long, convoluted plot to seize the Whitehouse and ... whoops, boot coming through the door, see ya

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar