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Should Cops Swipe DNA Without a Warrant?

Lawyers say it violates privacy rights; cops say they're catching crooks

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2008 1:33 PM CDT

(Newser) – 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.

Critics argue that cops should need some kind of warrant to grab such seemingly private data. “Police can take a DNA sample from anyone, anytime, for any reason without raising oversight by any court,” said one law professor. “I don’t think a lot of people realize that.” But Washington State’s Supreme Court recently ruled that discarded DNA evidence was no different than fingerprints.

DNA analysis is a powerful law enforcement tool, but how private is our DNA? (KRT Photos)

DNA evidence has helped take down serial killers, but how far should police be able to go to get it? (Getty Images)

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Should Cops Swipe DNA Without a Warrant?

Lawyers say it violates privacy rights; cops say they're catching crooks

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Cops Narrowly Missed 'Grim Sleeper' Twice

Missed chance on DNA, staked out wrong house,

Tech Helps Prints Tell More of the Story

Snack, drug habits can be traced on bullets, similar surfaces

DNA Used to Nab Criminal Kin

But questions arise over genetic privacy of innocent relatives

US Plans to Widen DNA Database

Will take samples from illegal immigrants, felony arrestees

Police Seek Broader DNA Database

US wants to follow UK's lead and track down suspects' relatives

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Should Cops Swipe DNA Without a Warrant?

Lawyers say it violates privacy rights; cops say they're catching crooks

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

crime • police • privacy • DNA • search and seizure • DNA evidence

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Cops Narrowly Missed 'Grim Sleeper' Twice

Missed chance on DNA, staked out wrong house,

Tech Helps Prints Tell More of the Story

Snack, drug habits can be traced on bullets, similar surfaces

DNA Used to Nab Criminal Kin

But questions arise over genetic privacy of innocent relatives

US Plans to Widen DNA Database

Will take samples from illegal immigrants, felony arrestees

Police Seek Broader DNA Database

US wants to follow UK's lead and track down suspects' relatives

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?