[119256] in Cypherpunks
NYC to collect more DNA
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Anonymous)
Wed Oct 20 13:07:35 1999
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 18:49:50 +0200 (CEST)
Message-Id: <199910201649.SAA22631@sofuku.monster.org>
From: Anonymous <nobody@replay.com>
To: cypherpunks@algebra.com
Reply-To: Anonymous <nobody@replay.com>
New York to expand
DNA testing of convicts
October 20, 1999
Web posted at: 10:25 a.m. EDT
(1425 GMT)
by CNN correspondent Gary
Tuchman
NEW YORK (CNN) -- New
York will take DNA
samples from ten times as
many convicted criminals as
it currently does, under a new law which expands the
number of offenses subject to compulsory testing.
Under the present law, only eight percent of convicted
criminals in the state are obliged to give DNA samples.
The new law, which goes into effect on December 1,
increases the number of offenses included in the DNA
sample requirement from 21 to 107, with burglary, arson
and drug dealing added to the existing list which already
includes most violent crimes.
Gov. George Pataki says the new
law will result in 30,000 convicts a
year giving samples instead of the
current 3,000.
New York is the latest state to look
at increased collection of DNA as a
law-enforcement tool. Several
states have increased the numbers of testing-eligible
crimes and Louisiana gives DNA tests to everyone
arrested.
While civil libertarians are concerned about the privacy
implications of these laws, proponents point out that DNA
evidence can prove innocence as well as guilt.
New York Police Department Commissioner Howard
Safir said, "I can prove somebody innocent through DNA
evidence. I need a lot more than DNA evidence to prove
somebody guilty."
A further concern is the nationwide backlog of testing of
the limited amount of samples now taken.
According to defense attorney Barry Scheck, there are
already millions of eligible convicts whose DNA has not
been collected, let alone tested.
