On the surface, this looks like a no-brainer. They say with this DNA evidence, they can solve more “cold cases” and avoid following inaccurate leads in investigations, saving time and money. They say that when an innocent person is arrested & their DNA collected, when the person is set free the DNA sample is destroyed. So why would you not want to support such legislation?
Well, how about this: Do you really trust our law enforcement system to properly dispose of innocent people’s DNA samples? I don't - our government loses PEOPLE in the system, how can they be trusted to not lose DNA samples?
- How many government entities do you know of with track records of mismanaged and lost paperwork and evidence? It is a common issue. Are you really OK with having YOUR DNA sample “out there” in a system rife with problems, never knowing if your sample is going to connect you erroneously with someone else’s crime?This happens in real life, not just in CSI re-runs on TV.
Right now the accepted use of DNA samples from people arrested (even if arrested in error!) is to “put criminals behind bars” and free innocent people who were wrongly charged. But you don’t know what will be done with those samples in 20 years. This world is vastly different from the one our grandparents knew; do you really trust our government to safeguard this information and not misuse it? They don't have a good track record so far, and being trustworthy is not a quality I ascribe to law enforcement or our government in general.
I appreciate Mr. Tipton’s impassioned plea to save all the women and girls of the state from brutalization by violent criminals. I'm sure his intentions are honorable. But think carefully before you support yet another erosion of your privacy and civil liberties and put this powerful tool in the hands of our less-than-honorable "justice" system.
Note: The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Olathe Messenger and its publishers.
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Who's opinion is this?
ReplyDeleteInteresting you ask who wrote the post, yet you post as "anonymous" LOL
ReplyDeleteThere are several writers who can post to this blog. Their opinions are their own, they do not presume to speak for the Olathe Messenger or its publishers.
Someone posted this observation: "I wonder if the law enforcement is even equipped to handle and store all of this DNA."
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to hear from local law enforcement (town, county, state) about this. Who is capable of handling and storing DNA samples safely, securely and anonymously?
Unfortunately, this bill did pass. So be aware - if you get arrested (even wrongly!) for any reason, you will be forced to provide a DNA sample that will stay in government hands forever.
ReplyDeleteWe've just allowed our civil liberties to be eroded even more ... and put a potentially dangerous tool into the hands of the "justice" system.
Keep in mind this bill only applies to those arrested and charged for felonies. If you are arrested and not charged they do not collect your DNA.
ReplyDeleteThe next question is, what if you are arrested and charged for a felony, but the charges get dropped?
ReplyDelete> Who makes sure your DNA sample is disposed of quickly?
That's the problem I see - knowing that DNA results are not processed quickly anyway, and mistakes do get made, we have no way of knowing that DNA samples WILL get disposed of quickly in cases where the charges are dropped, after the sample has been taken.
I think people do not take DNA sampling seriously enough. It isn't just a cool thing they do on CSI: shows. We don't know how DNA samples will be used 30 years from now - it may not be in ways we envisioned. And with mankind's penchant for misusing information, I still find this disturbing. And more disturbing because not many others are disturbed by this ...