Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

September 8, 2008 5:08:02 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Police Seek Broader DNA Database

Posted Feb 23, 08 3:02 PM CST in World,  Crime & Courts,  Technology 

(Newser) – US law enforcement currently catalogs 5.6 million DNA profiles, about 2% of Americans, but hopes to expand that and the scope of their searches, the Wall Street Journal reports. A bigger database would allow "familial searches"—looking for near matches of a suspect's brother or sister, for example. Civil libertarians worry the practice will expose innocent people to government scrutiny.

Most of the database consists of convicted felons, but 11 states now allow DNA to be collected from anyone arrested, even for minor offenses, and the Department of Justice will soon follow suit. The US is following the lead of Britain, which has nearly 8% of its population databased and uses familial searches. One US study warns it would put innocent people “under lifetime genetic surveillance.”

Source Wall Street Journal

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • 'Ironclad' Authority of DNA Evidence Questioned

    Jul 20, 08 11:47 AM CDT
    'Ironclad' Authority of DNA Evidence Questioned With odds of a definite match to suspects often cited as high as 1 in 100 billion, the power of DNA evidence in a criminal case is rarely disputed. But new studies are leading some to question whether DNA evidence should be an ironclad determination of guilt, the Los Angeles Times reports. More »

  • DNA Used to Nab Criminal Kin

    Apr 21, 08 12:51 PM CDT
    DNA Used to Nab Criminal Kin Law-enforcement agencies are using DNA of family members—often without their consent—to identify and convict criminals, the Washington Post reports. Privacy advocates object that it turns family members into unwitting informants, and subjects innocent relatives to “lifelong genetic surveillance” because someone in their family committed a crime. But investigators say it could increase DNA-solved cases by as much as 40%. More »

  • US Plans to Widen DNA Database

    Apr 16, 08 9:27 PM CDT
    US Plans to Widen DNA Database The US plans to significantly widen its law-enforcement database by taking DNA samples from illegal immigrants picked up by federal authorities and from all people arrested for federal offenses, the Washington Post reports. The feds currently collect genetic information only from those convicted of federal crimes. The expanded policy follows the lead of 13 states. More »

  • Should Cops Swipe DNA Without a Warrant?

    Apr 3, 08 1:33 PM CDT
    Should Cops Swipe DNA Without a Warrant? Police didn’t need a search warrant to get a DNA sample from now-convicted murderer Altemio Sanchez—they just waited until he left a restaurant and confiscated his glass. That kind of sneaky DNA collection is going on across the country, and defense lawyers don’t like it, the New York Times reports. “The law cannot tolerate such back-door methods,” said one lawyer. More »

  • Innocent Con Freed After 27 Years

    Jan 4, 08 3:00 AM CST
    Innocent Con Freed After 27 Years A man who spent 27 years in prison for a rape he didn't commit was released yesterday after DNA evidence proved he hadn't assaulted his accuser. Charles Chatman, now 47, had maintained his innocence throughout his time in jail, refusing to give an account of the crime to the parole board on three separate occasions. More »

US Attorney General John Ashcroft announces new DNA initiatives 04 March, 2002, at the Justice Department in Washington DC. Included in the initiative is the redesign of the FBI's Combined DNA Index System...   (Getty Images)
A scientist adds enzymes to cells in order to ultimately extract DNA.   (Associated Press)
A civilian scientist working in the Broward County, Fla. crime lab handles processed DNA extractions that were taken from blood samples of convicted criminals. Since the DNA Identification Act of 1994...   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

crime  • United Kingdom  • FBI  • Department of Justice  • DNA  • DNA evidence  • DNA database


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other Technology Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »