FBI and States Vastly Expand DNA Collection, Databases

Mike writes "Starting this month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will join 15 states that collect DNA samples from those awaiting trial, and will also collect DNA from detained immigrants. For example, this year, California began taking DNA upon arrest, and expects to nearly double the growth rate of its database (PDF), to 390,000 profiles a year, up from 200,000. Until now, the federal government genetically tracked only convicts, however law enforcement officials are expanding their collection of DNA to include millions of people who have only been arrested or detained, but not yet convicted. The move, intended to 'help solve more crimes,' is raising concerns about the privacy of petty offenders and people who are presumed innocent."

Comments

This is how it is in the UK now

[bargainsale]

The UK has a huge DNA database including large numbers of minors and people subsequently found innocent.
The much maligned European Court is protecting our liberties by declaring this illegal:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/04/law-genetic
Such a shame that the mother of democracies should come to this.
Be warned by our bad example

Re:The DNA you leave behind is no longer yours

[artor3]

Mistakes happen. If the woman in this story had been in that database, she'd be in prison for a crime she didn't commit.

DNA is only as good as you handle it . . .

[PolygamousRanchKid]

. . . a search for a female serial killer, whose victims were in Austria, France and Germany, was ended recently, when police discovered that the DNA of the suspect belonged to a women who packaged the cotton swabs used for testing:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iEPt22F_xcWatGRrX5ludZOsSM5AD976HRM00

So, how reliable will these databases be?

It's a hoot and a half to read all the different crimes associated with this case, and think how all those police profilers were totally baffled by this killer.

It won't be too funny, if a lab mix-up incriminates you.