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Post by tcrashfx on Mar 26, 2007 3:51:14 GMT -5
Bill would permit samples from felony suspects to be checked against other crimes
By COLBY SLEDGE
Staff Writer Tennessee police could soon be collecting DNA samples from anyone arrested in connection with a violent felony and checking them against samples from other crimes if a currently proposed bill becomes law in the state. The bill is making its way through the legislature as a growing number of police crime labs nationwide are creating databases of DNA taken from people who are not convicted or charged during investigations and using that DNA to match them to other crimes. Such databases operate beyond the reach of state or federal laws. They have sparked a controversy, pitting the labs against civil libertarians and defense lawyers who say such databases violate the rights of those who supplied their DNA samples under different circumstances. Current Tennessee law requires that anyone convicted of a felony on or after July 1, 1998, provide a blood sample to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation so scientists can extract the person's genetic code. |
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whimdriven
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Post by whimdriven on Mar 26, 2007 7:28:49 GMT -5
I see the point from both sides on this one. Indiana just recently started enforcing their felon DNA collection law that was passed in 2002. An alert went out to the felons by mail, through probation officers, etc., and all the Tippecanoe County felons were directed to the county fairgrounds (three blocks from my house, scary!) to give their samples. If they didn't show, warrants were issued.
I don't understand why they're going to go to the expense of collecting the DNA sample if they're NOT going to check it against outstanding cases. I understand the point of having the sample in the future to attempt a quick resolution to a case, but how many cases could be resolved by checking pending cases?
Such an ethical dilemma, I suppose.
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Felix
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Post by Felix on Mar 26, 2007 8:03:36 GMT -5
This is a really complicated story, what with science, civil liberties, due process and self-incrimination involved. I suspect there will be some case law created over the next several years.
As far as a national database of DNA being useful, I think Whim has touched on the central concern-how do you check the whole database for every crime? My knowledge of both DNA and fingerprinting is minute, but it's my impression that matching DNA is much more complicated than matching fingerprints. The CSI shows have left the impression that such tests are back in hours, when actually it takes a much longer time.
But, as I said, the extent of my knowledge is way inadequate on this subject. Should be interesting to see how things work out.
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Post by tcrashfx on Mar 27, 2007 4:21:06 GMT -5
The DNA database and the fingerprint database are run pretty much the same way.
Each sample is coded (The "0010010011001001001001010" thing) and categorized. So that when a sample is run, the computers spit out several "matches". And then humans narrow down the "matches" to the two that really match.
The technology makes it quite simple with computers today.
It is the legal issues (Like the ones you brought up here) that are going to be difficult.
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Mar 27, 2007 13:27:28 GMT -5
A simple solution: If you don't want your DNA in a database, DON'T COMMIT FELONIES.
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