DNA Dragnet
The city of Truro, Massachusetts is trying to collect DNA from all 790 residents to solve a crime, reports the New York Times. Its not clear why they believe that residents are more likely to be the criminal than non-residents, and it is clear that they don’t get the 4th amendment, against dragnet searches, or the 5th, against self-incrimination:
Sgt. David Perry of the Truro Police Department and other law enforcement authorities here say that the program is voluntary but that they will pay close attention to those who refuse to provide DNA.
There are numerous crimes which could be solved by door-to-door searches. We don’t allow them, and we shouldn’t allow this, either.
As long as it’s voluntary, there are no problems. Anyone should be able to ask anyone to volunteer for anything.
When the police are threatening to “look closely” at whomever doesn’t comply, its not voluntary.
I dunno…I’m already inclined to give a “voluntary DNA sample” to any government official who promises to keep his eye on me for exercising my rights. :^)
What does it mean when you refuse to give a DNA sample?
Adam Shostack is bothered by the Truro MA’s effort to solve a crime using large-scale DNA sampling: The city of Truro, Massachusetts is trying to collect DNA from all 790 residents to solve a crime, reports the New York Times….
What happens to the DNA samples and the digitally processed “DNA fingerprints” of all the “innocent” people who have given a “voluntary” DNA sample ?
In the United Kingdom, for example, these are *retained forever*
c.f. http://www.spy.org.uk/spyblog/archives/genetic_profile_databases/index.html
If people want to get together and voluntarily reveal exculpatory evidence in order to help solve a heinous crime, that’s their right. People do desire to act together in social and cooperative ways, even though it may seem objectionable to those of us with individualistic tendencies. Behaving cooperatively is a fundamental human right. Curmudgeonly and antisocial individualists don’t have to like it, but they can’t stop others from enjoying the benefits of cooperative behavior.