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New York State Passes DNA Requirement For Almost All Convicted Criminals

Posted by Soulskill on from the accused-did-knowingly-and-recklessly-loiter dept.

New submitter greatgreygreengreasy writes "According to NPR, 'Lawmakers in New York approved a bill that will make the state the first to require DNA samples from almost all convicted criminals. Most states, including New York, already collect DNA samples from felons, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. What's remarkable about the New York bill is that it would expand the state's database to include DNA from people convicted of almost any crime, even misdemeanors as minor as jumping over a subway turnstile.' Gattaca seems closer than we may have thought. Richard Aborn, one of the bill's backers, said, 'We know from lots of studies and lots of data now that violent criminals very often begin their careers as nonviolent criminals. And the earlier you can get a nonviolent criminal's DNA in the data bank, the higher your chances are of apprehending the right person.'"

7 of 260 comments (clear)

  1. My first thought: by jm007 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Who is making money from this?

    1. Re:My first thought: by Tsingi · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Who is making money from this?

      An excellent first question.

      We know from lots of studies and lots of data now that violent criminals very often begin their careers as nonviolent criminals.

      I'd like to point out both violent and non-violent criminals start out as human beings, so if we just get DNA from all human beings, we will have it when they become violent criminals.

    2. Re:My first thought: by Moryath · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Remember, "they're all guilty of something" is the standard credo of cops and prosecutors. You can be guilty of something and not even know it thanks to the fucked up state of law in the USA.

      The goal of a program like this is to DNA-code the entire populace, which is ridiculous.

  2. Beginnings of a violent criminal by wheeda · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Most violent criminals have their beginnings as a crying baby. Ergo, we should collect DNA from all crying babies. This will allow our helpful government to keep us safe. I'm way more concerned about turnstile jumpers than our government collecting a little DNA.

  3. Re:Does that Apply to Bankers? by Hatta · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Please. Wake me up when Lloyd Blankfein gets charged under RICO.

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  4. The new permanent underclass: Felons by Paracelcus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    When you take away everything, you have nothing to lose! And someone with nothing to lose is the most dangerous thing in the world!

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    I killed da wabbit -Elmer Fudd
  5. Its Inside Out by Walt+Sellers · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Fingerprints can identify you.

    DNA can identify you, your parents, your children and other family members.
    DNA can show your genetic odds for diseases like diabetes or alcoholism.

    Once your DNA is in the public record:
    - Your health insurance rates might go way up because you have good odds of diabetes.
    - Your car insurance rates might go up because you fit the DNA profile of a drunk, even if you don't drink.

    And what do you do if you happen to be an identical twin, triplet, etc, whose sibling committed the crime?

    Even if your DNA was never taken, it may suddenly be difficult to get certain jobs because now employer background checks might run a DNA scan on public databases and find out you have a relative convicted of fraud. (I might feel better about this if DNA-based background checks were required to be a candidate in an election.)