Aggregated News
Police departments throughout the state can access an ever-expanding databank of DNA samples collected from felons to help solve open cases those criminals may have previously committed but were never charged with.
Expanding that database to include anyone arrested for a litany of felonies and some misdemeanors – but not convicted – would help law enforcement officials. But it also may invade the privacy of innocent people, civil liberties group argue.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., will introduce federal legislation that would expand the circumstances for law enforcement agencies to take DNA samples from people arrested for such violent crimes.
“This legislation will put criminals behind bars, reduce the rate of false convictions and save taxpayers money by the way,” Schumer told a crowd of about 20 Thursday morning at the Utica Police Department.
In New York, DNA samples can be taken from convicted felons. Those samples are then put in a national database and checked against DNA taken from crime scenes of outstanding cases.
The legislation Schumer touted Thursday would allow DNA to be taken from people arrested for...
Expanding that database to include anyone arrested for a litany of felonies and some misdemeanors – but not convicted – would help law enforcement officials. But it also may invade the privacy of innocent people, civil liberties group argue.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., will introduce federal legislation that would expand the circumstances for law enforcement agencies to take DNA samples from people arrested for such violent crimes.
“This legislation will put criminals behind bars, reduce the rate of false convictions and save taxpayers money by the way,” Schumer told a crowd of about 20 Thursday morning at the Utica Police Department.
In New York, DNA samples can be taken from convicted felons. Those samples are then put in a national database and checked against DNA taken from crime scenes of outstanding cases.
The legislation Schumer touted Thursday would allow DNA to be taken from people arrested for...