Would you stand for police taking your DNA?

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-08-25 07:56pm

In a recent child abduction/rape/murder case, the police got fed up with their lack of progress and started going around the neighbourhood of the murdered girl asking for DNA samples from everybody. Note that they admitted up-front that it was voluntary, and that people could refuse to give their DNA if they wanted to.

Now, I know what the libertarians will say: it's evil, it's a violation of our rights, yadda yadda yadda. But do you know what happened? They got the bastard, because the people who refused to give out DNA samples were put on a short list, and when you have a short list, you'll be able to narrow it down to a shorter list without too much trouble (simply culling it down to single men living alone is the first obvious step).

Anyway, they caught the bastard, and once they took him into custody and laid charges, they could forcibly demand DNA samples. So what would you say if the police used this method to solve a murder case in your neighbourhood?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-08-25 07:58pm

If it was voluntary? Yes; since I'm a single guy and I wouldn't have been the one to rape the girl, I would've give them my DNA without any hesitation to prove beyond all doubt my innocence.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2003-08-25 07:59pm

Sure.

I mean unless I'm the one who did the crime I don't see the harm honestly.

Post by **RogueIce** » 2003-08-25 07:59pm

Since I don't plan on doing anything wrong anytime soon, I don't see a problem with it. Besides, I'm pretty sure the military takes blood samples of it's people anyway. Not sure what happens to it though. *shrug*

I don't know much about it, but what, besides as a form of ID, could they really use your DNA for anyway?

Embracer Of Darkness · Post by **Embracer Of Darkness** » 2003-08-25 07:59pm

Darth Wong wrote:*snip* So what would you say if the police used this method to solve a murder case in your neighbourhood?

I'm liberal, but assuming I had nothing to hide, why not? I'm willing to let the police take my DNA if they want to bring a sick and dangerous freak to justice.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-08-25 08:01pm

I don't know much about it, but what, besides as a form of ID, could they really use your DNA for anyway?

To make your evil twin?

Hamel · Post by **Hamel** » 2003-08-25 08:01pm

Don't see how the cops could abuse the system, so I'd comply, whether having a choice in the matter or not

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-08-25 08:01pm

The interesting thing about their investigative technique was that if most people refused to give out their DNA samples, it wouldn't have worked. The whole idea was to narrow down the suspect list to a small number of people.

It worked because most people had no problem giving out their DNA samples, and they understood that by doing so, they were helping the police investigate this heinous crime (the victim was a 12-year old girl by the name of Holly Jones who was raped, murdered, and dismembered).

It would be interesting to hear a hardcore libertarian's take on this situation, though.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-08-25 08:03pm

Mike, someone's been feeding you a strawman of libertarianism. This was completely voluntary, and nobody's rights were violated. If the local cops came around here asking for DNA samples to solve a crime, I'd happily give mine (so long as they promised to destroy it once they had their test results).

The only real issue I would have is the cost of the procedure to the police department. I wouldn't want them to use it for every crime, but to solve a murder, the cost isn't an important enough issue.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-08-25 08:04pm

It would be interesting to hear a hardcore libertarian's take on this situation, though.

If it's completely voluntary, they shouldn't have a problem with it. Except the really, really hardcore non-aggression principle libertarians, who oppose government by its very nature.

Post by **RogueIce** » 2003-08-25 08:04pm

Durran Korr wrote:
I don't know much about it, but what, besides as a form of ID, could they really use your DNA for anyway?
To make your evil twin?

Possibly...

But then, I already have one anyway.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-08-25 08:08pm

Provided that any negative sample was promptly destroyed and I didn't have a good preexisting alibi I'd likely let them take a simple.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2003-08-25 08:09pm

I'd happily donate a nice DNA sample if the female police officer offered me a 'hand'

Post by **RogueIce** » 2003-08-25 08:11pm

Stravo wrote:I'd happily donate a nice DNA sample if the female police officer offered me a 'hand'

It took twelve replies to finally get a sex joke?

Tsk tsk...you're all getting slow.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-08-25 08:13pm

Stravo wrote:I'd happily donate a nice DNA sample if the female police officer offered me a 'hand'

Sorry Stravo but that's not how the take samples, its just a quick swab of your mouth with generally. And when the crime is a rape and murder I think keeping it in your pants is probably a good idea, DNA testing isn't perfect.

Nova Andromeda · Post by **Nova Andromeda** » 2003-08-25 08:16pm

--I wouldn't give out my DNA on account of the pathetic protection of my rights in the U.S. Who knows what will happen with that info. once I give it out. I certainly won't be able to verify what happens with it. It could easily be stored forever and may be far more informative in 40 years time.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-08-25 08:18pm

I would only agree if they signed a contract stating that they would immediatly destroy all record of the DNA test, and the sample.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-25 08:18pm

Depends on what happens to the sample and information afterwards. I've got no problem with it in principle but I'd be worried what they'd do with it afterward.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2003-08-25 08:19pm

Nova Andromeda wrote:--I wouldn't give out my DNA on account of the pathetic protection of my rights in the U.S. Who knows what will happen with that info. once I give it out. I certainly won't be able to verify what happens with it. It could easily be stored forever and may be far more informative in 40 years time.

So...what color is the sky in your world?

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2003-08-25 08:20pm

As long as they use the sample for the stated purpose, then I have no problem giving it. But if for some strange reason my sample gets used in some other way, then it's lawsuit time.

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2003-08-25 08:22pm

Human DNA can't be put to shady use with current technology AFAIK and can't give someone more information that they could find out easier through other methods, so I have no problem with DNA cataloguing.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-08-25 08:30pm

Wicked Pilot wrote:As long as they use the sample for the stated purpose, then I have no problem giving it. But if for some strange reason my sample gets used in some other way, then it's lawsuit time.

Which is where the contract comes in.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-08-25 08:36pm

My opposition to (involuntary) cataloguing is more one of general principle than anything else. It's my DNA, and if I haven't committed a crime, it's nobody's business what it looks like without my say-so. However, just giving it to be tested, to help the police solve a murder, is the moral thing to do, even if I'm not legally obligated to do so.

Solauren · Post by **Solauren** » 2003-08-25 08:47pm

Happily and eagerly.

Reasoning:
I'm innocent. Even with a DNA match via test screw up/relation to the crook, I'll probably have an airtight alibi anyways (girlfriend, family, friends, video survillance from a store I was at, etc)

There is no other use for it at this time. If cloning was feasible, I'd want to go with them to the testing lab, have them swab me there, test it, then had me the sample to do with as I please. (Depending on how feasible the cloning was).

Mike, the Holly Jones case did bring that to the fore front, and I'm praying that it shows the usefulness of just asking as a way to narrow down suspects.

problem is, if they don't actually do any testing with it, someone will figure out 'okay, give the sample, they do jack with it, and I'm out of suspicion'

Montcalm · Post by **Montcalm** » 2003-08-25 08:55pm

I would`nt mind giving a sample,i have nothing to hide.

the only reason to be worried is if the sample are taken by federal agents...<cough>CIA<cough>

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Would you stand for police taking your DNA?

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