New York – DNA Databank Proposed for All-Crimes

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    photo illustrationNew York – The state would be allowed to collect a DNA sample from anyone convicted of a crime, including misdemeanors such as curfew violation, petty theft and vandalism, under legislation announced by Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday.

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    While 16 states collect DNA from some who commit misdemeanors, New York would become the first with a so-called all-crimes databank, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Albany lawmakers have voted down similar proposals in the past, but supporters say this time could be different because President Barack Obama and others have voiced support for expanded DNA collection.

    In announcing the legislation, Mr. Paterson noted the case of Raymon McGill, who in 2006 was convicted of two murders and of raping an 85-year-old woman after a DNA link was established to the crimes. Mr. McGill had earlier been convicted of two misdemeanors, but his DNA wasn’t collected until after a third conviction.

    The legislative director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, Bob Perry, said he worried that, “given the massive expansion proposed,” there would not be sufficient oversight of the databank to address human error in the form of mislabeling, misinterpretation of lab results and other issues that lead to due process and privacy concerns.

    Mayor Michael Bloomberg lauded the legislation.


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    8 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    “Mayor Michael Bloomberg lauded the legislation.”

    Well of course, never thought otherwise, he is as democratic as as Putin.

    mm
    mm
    13 years ago

    its an excellent idea, it would cut serious crime dramatically

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    By the way does anyone know what happend to Dreilich? Every week someone gets exonarated with DNA but we haven’t heard for months if the askonim still work on the case.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I’m sure there are many cases of “accidental” convictions in major crimes because of DNA collected for some minor offense. This will help convict serious, hard-core criminals.

    punch
    punch
    13 years ago

    so next time you want to spit on a bus driver (as reported last week by VIN) think twice.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I think it would be a great idea if they charted everyone’s dna at birth. If you’ve got nothing to hide, you’ve got nothing to be afraid of.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Many want expanded DNA collection, ideally with everyone on file, or perhaps just those who apply for a driver’s license or passport. Already some murders have been solved as a result of DNA in a database being a close but not exact match to DNA at a crime scene, so the police knew the murderer was a close relative of the person whose DNA was on file.