JURIST - Paper Chase: DOJ to implement sweeping new DNA data collection rules

[JURIST] The US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] is planning to follow up on a 2006 amendment [text, PDF] to the 1994 Violence Against Women Act with measures that would allow DNA samples to be taken from the majority of people arrested by federal agents, including illegal immigrants, the New York Times reported Monday. Supporters of the new rules, such as Lynn Parrish of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network [advocacy website], believe that bigger DNA databases will help to prevent crime. A spokesperson for the Innocence Project [advocacy website], however, expressed concerns that the new rules may be overly broad, telling the Times that "it becomes intrusive when the government begins to mine our most intimate matters."

DNA samples are currently only taken from people convicted of felonies. The new DNA procedures would be similar to current fingerprinting practices, and would be routine during booking. Dow Jones has more.

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