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FBI and States Vastly Expand DNA Collection, Databases

Posted by timothy on from the because-dna-evidence-is-unimpeachable dept.

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."

6 of 203 comments (clear)

  1. GATTACA by fluffy99 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Scary how we are quickly moving towards the society depicted in GATTACA.

  2. This is how it is in the UK now by bargainsale · · Score: 4, Informative

    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

    --
    Aberrations have appeared in my destiny prognostication engine!
  3. Re:Presumed innocent?? by Rohan427 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It is unconstitutional. DNA is personal property and protected. A person is INNOCENT until proven guilty, not the other way around. The act of being arrested is NOT proof of guilt, and in no way removes the rights of the individual being arrested (except in the eyes of The Man, no one seems to have any rights but them).

    So go ahead and collect DNA. You may eventually have everyone on record, but that's no big deal for most of us.

    Who decides that it is no big deal? Who decides if you are a criminal or not (or me, or the guy down the street)? When government is allowed to take even the smallest step, it never stops and only uses that small step to build a long path to no rights for the People and more power for government.

    If a person is found guilty of a felony, then and ONLY then can ANY of their rights be forfeit. In addition, the loss of rights must fit the crime.

    PGA

  4. Unconstitutional by nurb432 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    All records should be destroyed when the person is proven not guilty and released. WIth this ability they can just randomly detain people for questioning about some random crime that has no connection, get their DNA, and release them.

    For *innocent* people this is a clear violation of the 4th amendment. ( and perhaps others )

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
  5. First they came for the ... by khasim · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You may eventually have everyone on record, but that's no big deal for most of us.

    Remember folks, it's okay as long as it's happening to someone you don't care about.

    And by the time it's happening to someone you DO care about, it's too late.

  6. As always ... by khasim · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Fascism begins when the efficiency of the Government becomes more important than the Rights of the People.