Federal Agencies To Collect Genetic Info

[Bob Hubbard]

Federal Agencies To Collect Genetic Info

Sunday September 25, @09:27AM
protagoras writes "According to a bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, suspects arrested or detained by federal authorities may have their DNA forcibly collected for permanent storage in a central database. The bill is supported by the White House as well, but has not yet gone to the floor for a vote. Current law permits this only for those convicted of a crime. So even though completely innocent, should the Feds decide to detain you for any reason, your genetic data will grace their database beside that from murders, terrorists, and other miscreants." From the article: "The provision, co-sponsored by Kyl and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), does not require the government to automatically remove the DNA data of people who are never convicted. Instead, those arrested or detained would have to petition to have their information removed from the database after their cases were resolved. Privacy advocates are especially concerned about possible abuses such as profiling based on genetic characteristics."



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[Bob Hubbard]

I don't have a problem with a convicted criminal's information being kept on file, but I do have a problem with the way this is being described. Sounds like if I forget to remove my nail clippers while boarding an airplane they can forcibly collect my DNA and then store it with their normal efficiency. Why don't they just skip a step and make it manditory that everyone in the US be on file...hell, lets tatoo their SSN on their foreheads at birth. :/

 

[andy]

I read about this same thing early this morning. I have to say I am not surprised in the least. An advocates argumant can only be-'well, if your not a criminal what do you have to fear?'

The flipside is yet again another tiny step toward the virtual prison of 24/7 federal monitoring.

I have to say I feel so much better knowing a rich,infallible,human being;- that will legislate morality for me (at a taxrate that would make a vampire proud)-Will one day soon be able to track my every moment. How many more rights can be leeched away before we can say thanks for the state' priviledge' of feeling safe.Without batting a well programed eye.

 

[MA-Caver]

Federal Agencies To Collect Genetic Info

Sunday September 25, @09:27AM
protagoras writes "According to a bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, suspects arrested or detained by federal authorities may have their DNA forcibly collected for permanent storage in a central database. The bill is supported by the White House as well, but has not yet gone to the floor for a vote. Current law permits this only for those convicted of a crime. So even though completely innocent, should the Feds decide to detain you for any reason, your genetic data will grace their database beside that from murders, terrorists, and other miscreants." From the article: "The provision, co-sponsored by Kyl and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), does not require the government to automatically remove the DNA data of people who are never convicted. Instead, those arrested or detained would have to petition to have their information removed from the database after their cases were resolved. Privacy advocates are especially concerned about possible abuses such as profiling based on genetic characteristics."


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Oooh oooh oooh... I see a movie plot in here... the DNA of serial killers is sold on a black market and one is cloned and goes on a rampage... or, or how about dozens of them are cloned and a specialist cop is recruited to hunt them down... or they're combined to create a super serial killer, or... (oh the Horror!) bad presidents are cloned... ahhhh!

it's all well and good til someone starts screwing around with DNA...
One innocent person might have the same genetic characteristics as say Jeffery Dahmler or Ted Bundy or even Osama Bin Laden... so what do we do? Lock 'em up for our protection? Send them to re-educational camps/sites?
Or even as the premise of Gattica they're tested when babies and thus eliminated for the good of society? "Sorry folks but you've given birth to a potential serial killer, go ahead make another baby... and here's some GOOD DNA to be sure.".... Gads I can make millions with plot lines like these...

Welcome to the future...


".... and I say to myself.... what a wonderful world..." ~Louis Armstrong

 

[dubljay]

I think that use of DNA tracking of criminals has value. I just think that some precautions should be taken. Suppose you are chared with a crime... your DNA is taken as a comparrison and proves your innocense... do you think that DNA file is discarded? I highly doubt it, and that isn't right. Vaguely worded laws are always trouble.

 

[Tgace]

Use it the same way as fingerprints IMO.

 

[Bester]

I just want to know at what point it stops? I mean, I get pulled over for a minor traffic violation, will I be fingerprinted, strip searched, cavity searched and DNA markered? How about jaywalking?

Some of this stuff is good, but some of it really violates my right to privacy, especially when I am not a criminal. Convict me, then document me. This stuff is getting too close to pre-screening.

Then again, it'll make Tom and my doctors jobs easier. Tom pulls me over for running a stop sign, he can pull my DNA, and not only verify who I am, but let me know the results of my last blood test. Saves my quack time. He can then cross reference it to my credit history and arrest me for being broke, if nothing else. (Yes I'm being sarcastic, but the point of reality and sarcasm is getting real blurry as of late)

Now, my only question is, since they want to make DNA collection manditory, will spitting on the LEO still be considered assault, or will it now be classified as a medical procedure and part of the job? If I fling poo, does it earn me bonus points for being more willing to share my genetic material? What about other fluids?

Sorry but the last few years have seen way too much in the way of privacy invasion, all in the name of fighting terrorism. Does anyone ever stop and think that guys like Sadamn were already doing this ****? America is supposed to be the light. Why do so many supposedly educated individuals seem to be in such a hurry to make it a model police state?

 

[Tgace]

You get fingerprinted, processed and put "into the system" at arrest not after conviction. Always have....

IMO, specific crimes (violent, sex, burglary) could have a DNA sample collected and I see no problem with that. People dont seem to care about fingerprints being collected. They are only taken (here in NY at least) upon an arrest for a misdemeanor or felony. You wont be printed for most V+T arrests or even for violation penal law arrests (trespass, harassment, marijuana possession etc). Its just another form of ID.

Military took mine over 10 years ago....

 

[Tgace]

Although the example in Bobs opening post does seem to have its problems....

That doesnt make the entire concept bad though. DNA can be "stored" as a basic identifying code without any genetic information included (race, disease etc.). Just a unique ID like a fingerprint. Its just a matter of implementation.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

I don't have a problem with the folks who are guilty being recorded....but some of this really smacks of questionableness.

As to the cavity search, I demand dinner and a movie first, and she better be cute.

 

[Tgace]

I have no problem with it being collected at arrest processing as long as its for ID only like fingerprinting.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Thats the problem though. Once its in the system, what it's used for is anyones guess. Look at how abused SSN numbers are. Employers use them to obtain medical history, credit history, etc.

I don't see any reason why the government should keep copies of innocents information on file.

 

[Tgace]

Do you think your fingerprints disappear after your court case? They already collect all kinds of info from you when you are arrested. The issue is what can/cant be done with it. If the law states that the data can only be used in certain ways than thats the way it is. If the data is processed and stored in a specific manner than there should be no problem.

If we are to not use useful technology because of 1984ish conspiracy fears in kneejeark fashion than there is really nothing to debate. Its in the implementation and the rules therein.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

There is what the law and the rules state, and then there is reality. If my personal data was only used as intended I wouldn't be too worried, but I've experienced abuse of private info first hand. I honestly don't trust that those with access will all be above board. We know there are LEO who abuse the system, doing personal lookups on information. Why would I want to give them even more access to my intel, especially when I've never been convicted?

I believe that collecting it at arrest is ok, however, if I am released, the information collected should either be destroyed or turned over to me. Take my fingerprints? Burn em. DNA swabs? Burn em. My Ernest Borgnine Porn? Give it back.

I've talked to enough LEO's, lawyers and judges to know better than to think intel is only used as allowed. If abuse never happened, we wouldn't have any need for internal investigations, or cross agency stings. How long ago was it that the Feds busted several local LEO agencies for abuse? How about evidence tampering? DNA doesn't lie.

If I'm not guilty, theres no reason to keep me on file.

 

[Tgace]

Until that serial killer gets caught after a spree and it was found out that he had been arrested on a petit larceny last year but found not guilty and there are no prints, DNA, address, photos etc. on file and the cops are blamed for their inepnitude.

Before I can access any prints, criminal history etc. I have to present a case # and tracking info. Every plate, license etc. I run is logged and tracked. The possibility of abuse isnt a reason to exclude information. Place limits and rules on its access and use yes. I cant arrest you because its "possible" that you could commit a crime.