South Carolina Proposes to Gather DNA From All Arrestees
Yvonne M. Wenger writes in The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier:
Police would have the power to seize DNA samples from anyone arrested for a crime - from shoplifting to murder - under legislation proposed by state lawmakers.More here.
The measure would provide South Carolina with the most aggressive DNA sampling program in the nation, allowing authorities to collect a person's genetic profile for even petty offenses before he or she is tried for the crime.
Senate Pro Tem Glenn McConnell said the proposed legislation is part of a package of bills aimed at cracking down on increasing violence. Maintaining a bank of DNA samples will help police solve cases quicker and aid in the investigations of cold cases while also ensuring the falsely accused aren't prosecuted for crimes they didn't commit, he said.
Some civil rights advocates are afraid the legislation on DNA sampling goes too far, although McConnell said it has safeguards built in to ensure constitutional rights are protected.
(Props, Privacy.org.)
posted by Fergie @ 1/03/2007 02:22:00 PM
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