Feds to collect DNA from every person they arrest
The government plans to begin collecting DNA samples from anyone arrested by a federal law enforcement agency — a move intended to prevent violent crime but which also is raising concerns about the privacy of innocent people.
(Emphasis mine)
Okay, here’s a crazy thought. I was under the impression that it was the government’s job to punish crimes, not prevent them. Now, I do believe that the consistent punishing of crime will discourage the committing of crimes, but, ultimately, no one can prevent crime from happening.
Those who support the expanded collection believe that DNA sampling could get violent criminals off the streets and prevent them from committing more crimes.
A Chicago study in 2005 found that 53 murders and rapes could have been prevented if a DNA sample had been collected upon arrest.
(Again, emphasis mine)
Sounds like Minority Report to me.
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Well, I think it is, technically, within the bailiwick of law enforcement to prevent crime where they can within constitutional means.
I would argue that taking DNA samples from arrestees does nothing to further this, though. It may simplify prosecuting the person arrested if they commit another crime later, leaving behind DNA evidence in the meantime, but I don’t see that as sufficient justification for this 1984esque move.
People joke about Canada being the People’s Republic of Canuckistan, etc. but this makes me that much happier to live here rather than south of the border.
Other than the technology involved, how is this really any different than the collection of latent fingerprints from people arrested? DNA can be obtained with a cheek swab, hardly what one would call an “intrusive” measure.