Maryland Expands DNA Database

CNN reports:

On Tuesday, Maryland starts expanding its DNA database, collecting samples from people arrested for murder, rape, and assault instead of just collecting DNA from convicted criminals.

Maryland is joining a dozen other states in expanding its database, and walking straight into controversy. To supporters, building DNA databases with samples from the unconvicted is no different from collecting fingerprints. Critics say it's a complete violation of civil rights.

I'm as suspicious of government as anyone, and this plan gives me the creeps.  Someone accuses you of assault (which doesn't even require that you touched anyone, just that they were in fear that you might), and your DNA goes right into big brother's big DNA logbook.

The feds are implementing similar policies, but they assure us that the data will never be mis-used.  They will show us the data on that once they find the WMDs in Iraq.

The woman who pushed for this expansion is the victim of a serial rapist that would have been caught, had this measure been in place years ago.  As much as I want my civil liberties kept inviolate, how do I tell the next victim, or string of victims, that we could have caught the scumbag - but we thought that it was more important to protect our civil liberties?

Answer?  With more tact than I am capable of.  Anyone want to volunteer? 

Comments

DNA data held for criminals and possible criminals is the thin of a wedg[i]e that is already being put into law: keep every citizen's DNA not only on file, but available for almost any use by nearly anyone with a business card -

*http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/05/have-you-heard-new-on-federal-genetic.html - Federal genetic database and surveillance program*

"Two major new pieces of legislation have received virtually no notice by mainstream media, but, incredibly, give the federal government the ability to both collect the DNA on every American and establish a nationalized DNA database and surveillance system, and to legalize the sharing of genetic information without patient consent. The names given the legislation aren’t what they sound."
...
"As the Institute for Health Freedom described, the bill outlaws employers from requesting, requiring or purchasing genetic information, but `it then goes on to list six exceptions.` The exceptions would appear to nullify any real genetic privacy protections. One such exemption is that genetic information can be included when any employer `requests or requires family medical history of the employee or family member of the employee.`"

[Sandy]

This actually has federal precident:
http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/04/governments-dna-database-expected-to.html

Scary how much legislation - especially the really dangerous stuff - gets passed when we never hear about it.