DNA from all those charged....

[Mia.Colpa]

Toronto Police Chief Blair wants DNA samples from everyone charged with a serious crime, not only if you're convicted. That means if you're charged but you are genuinly innocent, they have your DNA. He says it will help fight future crime, other rights activists say it's an invasion of privacy.

I can see situations where it will help, but I can also see the police flexing their muscle with such powers. This is a hot potato. What do you think?

Apparently they allow this in England and some states.

 

[Gentle Ben]

DNA is the new fingerprint, I supose it's no different than being fingerprinted when charged .
More & more We're losing our privacy.

 

[Mia.Colpa]

I don't think I would have a problem with it in the end. Why? Because I think it will help more people then simply hinder me as an individual.

That's assuming you're innocent all the time.

 

[boffo]

I think state should take a DNA profile of all newborn infants. It's harmless and 20, 30, 40 years down the road might provide useful information to police.

 

[a 1 player]

If convicted, then absolutely. If charged, not a chance.

 

[flyingiguana]

imo the government should have a database of dna and fingerprints. eventually replace standard ID's with fingerprint ID for more security. also, eventually dna screening for possibly medical complications in the future.

 

[a 1 player]

Not into X-Files shit, but this is the exact reason pleople should work to protect their individuality and privacy. Fuck it, watch the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVEPlxwlzCE

 

[jerbear]

im all for it 4 everyone .

 

[tboy]

DNA is the new fingerprint, I supose it's no different than being fingerprinted when charged .
More & more We're losing our privacy.

exactly....the police have been compiliing a fingerprint database for the last 60 years so why not do DNA????

 

[Papi Chulo]

DNA is the new fingerprint, I supose it's no different than being fingerprinted when charged .
More & more We're losing our privacy.

Actually, when one is found innocent or the charges are dropped, one's lawyer usually put forward a motion, ordering the police and / or jails to destroy any photos or fingerprints... and I am sure they will now include any DNA samples collected.

 

[anon1]

I think state should take a DNA profile of all newborn infants. It's harmless and 20, 30, 40 years down the road might provide useful information to police.

That's assuming that the database is limited only to a forever benevolent state for all it's citizens. History has proven that there is no such thing.

 

[Berlin]

History has proven that there is no such thing.

Sadly, I have to agree with that.

Gattaca is not far away.

 

[tboy]

That's assuming that the database is limited only to a forever benevolent state for all it's citizens. History has proven that there is no such thing.

I have to agree with you there, with all the BS illegal activities being discovered from public servants who knows what would happen with such a database?

But still, if they ever find a correlation between criminal activity and a certain gene and then find a way to treat that condition before any crimes are committed then I could see the benefits of infant DNA testing.

I seem to recall a fiction novel written on this very subject. The researcher had discovered that after much research, all violent criminals had a similar genetic makeup then developed a poison that only affected those with violent tendencies.

 

[landscaper]

The system in Canada and most of the western world is that you have civil rights that the government can not ignore except in specific cases such as ride spot checks.( the courts have ruled that they are against your rights but are an acceptable violation becuase of what they do) . Unless the police can show a reason to the courts and the legislators that this will be in the greater public interest they have no right to collect anything beyond photos and finger prints.

Another point I just thought of is that you have a right not to incriminate yourself, providing DNA could very well incriminate you for a crime that is not being investigated. This sounds like a meally mouthed lawyer in action for which I will beat myself about the head and shoulders. The fact of the matter is the police are servants of the law they are not above it in spite of their driving habits in and out of uniform. They do have to obey the law.

N.B. I expect the law impounding cars cought speeding above 50 km/h to be overturned as soon as one of the cases gets to court. The police do not have the power to judge you guilt they can only collect the eveidence and lay charges, you are innocent untill proven guilty.

 

[tboy]

Could a chromosome instead of a gene count towards that equation?

Chromosome(gene) + criminal tendency = treatment

Ohhhhhh, so for example all men born in the USA should be castrated at birth so as to prevent them from possibly committing the crime of prostitution in the US and A?

LOL no, I mean hell, having sex isn't always a crime, but I was referring to your more common violent crimes, armed robbery, premeditated murder, etc.

Yes everyone has the capacity (and the ability) to commit a crime, just some are more predisposed to it. least that was the premise of the book.

For eg: since they've mapped the human genome and say they discover the gene that causes, oh, cancer. They develope a treatment for it such as, say, a vaccine that makes that gene dormant. Would you agree that it would be a good idea to give that vaccine to the infant long before they develope cancer or wait to treat the cancer after it occurs?

Now, we should remove from the equation the philosophical aspect of whether or not we should still be preventing disease or death due to the way we are overpopulating the planet......

 

[Shades]

Cops can have my DNA

....but keep it away from the Insurance Companies!!!!!

Those farkers would look at it to see if you had an inherited disease or a prediliction for heart attacks etc. and either up your insurance rates or deny you insurance cause they know what is coming down the pike for you

 

[a 1 player]

Unfortunately much of my DNA can be found amongst many of the finer establishments all around this great city.

 

[tboy]

....but keep it away from the Insurance Companies!!!!!

Those farkers would look at it to see if you had an inherited disease or a prediliction for heart attacks etc. and either up your insurance rates or deny you insurance cause they know what is coming down the pike for you

Funny, I actually see no problem with that. Kind of like if you're a motorcycle racer, your health and life insurance premiums are higher than a dog walker.......

 

[Tangwhich]

I recently saw a British documentary and they've gone a step beyond there. They take DNA from anyone who is questioned.

 

[slowpoke]

On the news this morning, they said the reason for taking samples when people are charged instead of waiting until they're convicted is the fact that they could be out on bail for 3 years or more before the courts finally convict them. Lots of people commit further offences while out on bail so the police might be able to use that public safety risk to override your civil rights just like they've done for ride spot checks.

I can also see how less reputable cops might use bogus charges to gain access to someone's DNA. They could then go on a fishing expedition by comparing that DNA against samples taken from dozens of unsolved cases. If someone had sneezed, dropped a kleenex, tossed a cigarette butt or otherwise left bodily fluids in a place that later turned out to be a crime scene, he could become a suspect and even get wrongly convicted. If he'd visited an sp who was later assaulted or if he just took a leak in an alleyway where a crime was later discovered he could end up in deep shit. At least with fingerprints, you have to touch a fairly smooth surface and the prints would soon get obliterated by weather or subsequent traffic. But (I think) DNA can last for ages so it seems to me there is greater potential for unwarranted charges.