DNA Databanks

DNA is largely considered to be the most consistently accurate form of evidence currently used. As such, it holds considerable value to law enforcement agencies throughout the modern world.
Previously focusing on convicted serious felony offenders such as rapists and murderers, in many places its use has spread to include anyone placed under arrest for any reason, a standard procedure similar to fingerprinting.
The United Kingdom National DNA Database was estimated as having 5,950,612 individuals registered by March 2012, nearly 10% of their population and growing by 30,000 each month since.
DNA evidence has not only been used to confirm guilt, but has also helped exonerate many wrongly accused inmates.
http://www.aclu.org/capital-punishment/ ... th-penalty
On the other hand, critics bring up how DNA can potentially be used for discriminatory purposes, markers can indicate behavioral traits and disease risks.
Now the U.S. Supreme Court is holding a hearing on the constitutionality of DNA swabs; millions of entries could be destroyed, and thousands of cases could potentially be overturned.
http://www.npr.org/2013/02/26/172886713 ... nstitution
Previously focusing on convicted serious felony offenders such as rapists and murderers, in many places its use has spread to include anyone placed under arrest for any reason, a standard procedure similar to fingerprinting.
The United Kingdom National DNA Database was estimated as having 5,950,612 individuals registered by March 2012, nearly 10% of their population and growing by 30,000 each month since.
DNA evidence has not only been used to confirm guilt, but has also helped exonerate many wrongly accused inmates.
http://www.aclu.org/capital-punishment/ ... th-penalty
On the other hand, critics bring up how DNA can potentially be used for discriminatory purposes, markers can indicate behavioral traits and disease risks.
Now the U.S. Supreme Court is holding a hearing on the constitutionality of DNA swabs; millions of entries could be destroyed, and thousands of cases could potentially be overturned.
http://www.npr.org/2013/02/26/172886713 ... nstitution