the charles smith blog: Bulletin: Last Man Standing: A Final Challenge to DNA Collection Laws? Jessica Gabel Cino says in 'Mimesis Law' that, "Technological advancements in DNA are coming, and what we don’t know can hurt us." (Must Read. HL);

"Last week, briefing wrapped up in what may be the last gasp of a challenge at the seemingly unfettered expansion of DNA databases (full disclosure, I am one of the amici). DNA solves crimes. News articles trumpet the unparalleled capabilities of DNA, and it would be difficult to argue with the success of science sealing convictions. Because of this, we collect DNA—lots of it. In fact, many states have blessed the collection of DNA from arrestees in addition to convicted offenders......... Technological advancements in DNA are coming, and what we don’t know can hurt us. DNA phenotyping (i.e., developing a physical description of a suspect based on his or her DNA profile), familial searching, and Rapid DNA (getting results in as little as two hours) are no longer figments of science fiction. Innocent until proven guilty used to mean something, but DNA evidence is a powerful tool that seems to trump that very protection. While efficiency and speed are critical to a successful police investigation, the integrity of a criminal justice system must be maintained. We shudder at the vast amount of electronic information collected about us (social media trolling, cell phone data, online purchase histories) for law enforcement and national security purposes. Court decisions routinely denounce such practices. But when it comes to genetic information we take it less personally. If law enforcement can analyze a tiny bit of DNA in a few hours and suddenly know your relatives, what you look like and whether you are genetically predisposed to be lactose intolerant, then perhaps we’d all take a closer look at DNA collection laws." (Jessica Gabel Cino is an Associate Professor at the Georgia State University College of Law.)

http://mimesislaw.com/fault-lines/last-man-standing-a-final-challenge-to-dna-collection-laws/4904

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Bulletin: Last Man Standing: A Final Challenge to DNA Collection Laws? Jessica Gabel Cino says in 'Mimesis Law' that, "Technological advancements in DNA are coming, and what we don’t know can hurt us." (Must Read. HL);