This Article is From Apr 19, 2009

US expands its DNA databases, says report

US expands its DNA databases, says report

AFP image

New York:

Law enforcement agencies in the US are vastly expanding their collection of DNA by including in their databases millions more people who have been arrested or detained but not yet convicted.

The move, intended to help solve crimes, has been seen as infringing into the privacy of petty offenders and people who are presumed innocent, the New York Times reported.

Until now, the federal government genetically tracked only convicts. But starting this month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will join 15 states that collect DNA samples from those awaiting trial and will collect DNA from detained immigrants, the paper said.

The FBI, with a DNA database of 6.7 million profiles, expects to accelerate its growth rate from 80,000 new entries a year to 1.2 million by 2012  a 17-fold increase. FBI officials say they expect DNA processing backlogs  which now stand at more than 500,000 cases  to increase.

Law enforcement officials say that expanding the DNA databanks to include legally innocent people will help solve more violent crimes. Minors are required to provide DNA samples in 35 states upon conviction, and in some states upon arrest. Sixteen states now take DNA from some who have been found guilty of misdemeanours, the paper said.

Law enforcement officials say that DNA extraction upon arrest is no different than fingerprinting at routine bookings and that states purge profiles after people are cleared of suspicion.

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