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DNA Used to Nab Criminal Kin

But questions arise over genetic privacy of innocent relatives

By Elizabeth Wolff,  Newser User

Posted Apr 21, 2008 12:51 PM CDT

(Newser) – 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%.

Reaction differs. While a Wichita woman "had no problem" with the use of her pap smear test to convict her father of the brutal “Bind, Torture, Kill” serial murders, a Louisiana woman felt “betrayed” when her DNA, collected after she reported a rape, was used to convict her brother in a string of unrelated rapes.

DNA testing of relatives can help law enforcement identify criminals
DNA testing of relatives can help law enforcement identify criminals   (Getty Images)
Genetic testing lab
Genetic testing lab   (Index Open)
DNA Double Helix
DNA Double Helix   (Getty Images)
An inmate swabs the inside of his mouth so a sample of his DNA can be logged in a data base in Virginia.
An inmate swabs the inside of his mouth so a sample of his DNA can be logged in a data base in Virginia.   (KRT Photos)
DNA Database searches extended to relatives can nab criminals
DNA Database searches extended to relatives can nab criminals   (Index Open)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
farmgirl2010
Nov 18, 2010 10:02 AM CST
I think this is an invasion of privacy on the innocent. They had nothing to do with the crime, so why should they be put under the scope? In addition, I think the collection of DNA from non-violent felons is also a waist of the lab's time and accounts for the long hold up on trying to get a match on DNA evidence to find the offenders of violent crimes that are being commited. In the mean time the offenders that are committing these violent acts have more time to do so, thanks to the overtime the labs are putting in on inputting DNA samples of the non-violent felons.

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