Something to think about the next time you mull committing a crime: Albany lawmakers have agreed to Governor's Cuomo plan to create the most expansive DNA database in the country. As in everyone convicted of a crime will have to submit their DNA to the state. Well, there is one exception looking likely: Those found with small amounts of marijuana should be allowed to skip the swab.
The move comes with the support of all of the state’s 62 district attorneys and 58 sheriffs, as well as 400 police chiefs. Also, Mayor Bloomberg loves it! "Six years ago I helped lead the charge for a new State law that expanded DNA collection - and we strongly supported the Governor's efforts to expand the law further. Thanks to the hard work of Governor Andrew Cuomo, Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Speaker Shelly Silver, Senator Steve Saland, Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Joe Lentol, New York will now have one of the strongest DNA laws in the country - and we will be safer for it."
It is worth noting we already collect DNA from convicted felons and some people convicted of misdemeanors. This step just takes it to the next level. But as one would expect of something that is arguably an invasion of genetic privacy, it has its critics. The NYCLU, for instance: "It is well documented that human error, and worse, routinely enters into the use of forensic DNA, and yet New York has not taken the steps necessary to provide adequate oversight and accountability over its DNA databank," Donna Lieberman, the executive director of the civil liberties group, said in a statement.
And while the idea of a government DNA database is definitely disturbing, it does have things going for it. Just ask the man arrested last summer for a 13-year-old rape case who was caught using DNA from a cigarette butt.
The database isn't signed into law yet, but it should be soon. Next up? Creating Minority Report-style pre-cogs to stop crimes before they happen. Then we won't even need a DNA database.
