DNA Testing of Blacks Raises Questions (VA)

[Romulus]

from the Richmond Times-Dispatch

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Michael Townes was walking home on Jefferson Park Avenue when a police car stopped and two officers emerged.

"Hold out your hands," one told Townes, a University of Virginia senior. The officer told Townes they were investigating a report that a man matching his description had followed a girl in a threatening manner. Police asked to obtain a sample of his DNA using a cheek swab. Townes refused, he said, because he found it "degrading" and because he believed the police were violating his rights.

*snip*

(Police Chief) Longo said the practice is "consistent with the law, in that it doesn't violate any individual's rights."

He said police question men for three reasons: They've received phone calls suggesting a man could be the rapist, a potential suspect has a record of sex crimes or burglaries, or a 911 call alerts authorities about a man who resembles the composite drawing of the rapist.

*snip/more*

<sarcasm> Well, what's the big deal? We register cars, right, so why not register "potential rapists?"</sarcasm>

Edited to update link

[Superfly]

1. Scary...

I was wondering when DNA would be demanded of a suspect. What happens to the DNA after the person is exonerated? Is it stored in a repository? Is it destroyed?

Has DNA collection by police been examined by any of the superior courts?

[frankly_fedup2]

5. In the state of VA, no matter what you are arrested for . . .

they take DNA samples. You could just be in the drunk tank overnight and they would take DNA. Of course, anyone accused of a felony has DNA taken. As far as speeding . . . not sure about that but wouldn't surprise me if they did.

[MrBenchley]

2. Your link is as dead as Heston's brain....

http://www.timesdispatch.com/Servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031774826093&path=%21news%21localupdates&s=1045855935074

It appears there's going to be a public discussion of the issue, and that those being tested match the composite drawing of the culprit.

[MrSandman]

3. Better Idea...

Just take a sample at birth, enter it into a database under the same alphanumeric code for the individual's future ID/. Do the same for those coming in to get their ID's. DNA from a crime scene could then be compared to the database.
:tinfoilhat:

[MrSandman]

4. They beat me to it...

N.B.: This is West Virginia, not Virginia or Kentucky.


"•Identity kits for Summers County kids

Soon every child in Summers County will have a complete identity kit.

This afternoon Summers County Sheriff, Gary Wheeler teamed up with several other agencies to ensure the safety of children.

<>

All of the students of Jumping Branch Elementary school received a passport complete with description, age, weight, height fingerprints and even eye and hair color.

We get like birth date and their name and a little bit of information on them and then we send them down there to Jan. and she does the DNA testing and then we send them on down to Wheeler, our Sheriff, and he fingerprints them," said Danielle Gore, Summers County team leader."

http://www.wvva.com/

[frankly_fedup2]

6. They've been doing this for

over 20 years in VA. Nothing new?

[MrSandman]

7. With DNA?