At the moment in the UK, we have a DNA database which holds the records of the DNA taken from anyone arrested for a recordable offence and detained in a police station regardless of whether they were charged or found guilty or not. At the moment this is approximately 5.2% of the population but it is growing by 30,000 samples a month.
The practical advantages of a DNA database in solving crimes are quite obvious. There have been several occasions when someone has been arrested for a minor offence but when that person’s DNA was taken they found that their DNA matched with much more serious but previously unsolved crime. An example I found on the net was of a shoplifter being arrested but then being linked through his DNA to an older case of the rape and indecent assault of two 9 and 11 year old girls.
However it has been argued that the UK is trying to create a comprehensive DNA database by stealth and it has no right to keep the DNA records of innocent people who were not even eventually charged. I, myself fall under this category. At the moment there is a case at the European Court of Human Rights where two individuals are challenging the UK government’s ability to keep innocent people’s DNA samples, a ruling is expected later this year. I must say, my first reaction when my DNA was taken was one of indignation and I was kinda put out, questioning what was their right to do this BUT the more I think about it, the more I think EVERYONE should be on the database!
Creating the database by stealth and adding people gradually isn’t the right way to go about things BUT I feel if everyone was on the database this would significantly increase how many crimes are solved and could even reduce the number of crimes committed. A lot of people who have had opinions on this say things in the vein of… because they are not criminals or have not done anything bad they wouldn’t want their DNA on the database but I don’t think this is a good argument. This argument is derived from a false connection that being on the DNA database is a negative thing rather than a social responsibility which is what it could be if we made it a comprehensive thing with everyone on it.
There are other arguments against it of course such as who would regulate it? Could it get into the wrong hands? And others I probably haven’t thought of BUT the problem of human rights I just don’t see as a problem.
I’m not sure what the situation is in the USA or elsewhere but as I understand it the UK has the largest DNA database in the world at the moment.
I don’t know how serious you are Imp! But yeah there is a risk that such a database could be misused but I can’t imagine it being abused in any way similar to you suggest BUT with the benefits that I have outlined I reckon if there was some kind of checks in place to prevent its misuse, it has the potential to be a win-win situation.
It’s okay saying, “I’ve got nothing to hide,” but that isn’t the point. It’s a violation of privacy, and DNA technology isn’t perfect by any means.
Yes, in February 2008 three serial killers were convicted in the UK, and one necrophile. One of the serials and the necro were captured thanks to DNA, but that does not on it’s own merit a nationwide database.
On one hand I think, yeah I’ve nothing to hide, nor do I plan on committing any crimes, why not store my DNA. What harm will it do to me? And the good it will bring, is quicker and perhaps more efficient crime solving, and over time hopefully a lower crime rate.
On the other hand I think, why should I have to prove I have nothing to hide? Isn’t it the job of the police to find that out? Do I really want my DNA held by a central authority?
I agree the chances that this information would be misused are extremely low, and that it has potential as a crime solving device, but I don’t think inclusion on it should be compulsory. I have no problem with the police taking DNA swabs of suspects and criminals, because that is part of the crime solving process. However, if a person is not convicted, I believe their samples cannot be kept. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Convicted criminals are more than likely to re-offend so it makes sense to keep their DNA samples.
It obviously will have the possibility for abuse, that is just b/c it is a human system set up by humans…
but I believe the benefits of it WILL outweigh the negatives.
I would love to see more Rapists out there get what they deserve. To see thousands of women get justice for having their lives ruined makes this idea extremely apeasing to me.
