The federal government, as well as several state governments, collects DNA samples from all individuals arrested – but not necessarily convicted – for serious crimes. Should this be allowed? Why or why not?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Background:
In 1998, the FBI began cataloging DNA profiles in a database now called the National DNA Index System (NDIS), which collects profiles submitted by state and local criminal justice agencies. The database now contains over 10,000,000 offender profiles and over 1,500,000 arrestee profiles and has been used in more than 200,000 investigations. As they accumulate more and more profiles, DNA databases are becoming important tools in solving crimes. In Virginia, which has one of the oldest and largest DNA databases in the United States, more than 3,600 crimes without suspects were solved over a 6-year period by matching DNA profiles from the crime scene with profiles already in the state database.

At least 28 states and the U.S. government now collect DNA samples from anyone arrested for serious crimes such as murder, rape, assault, and burglary. In 2013, a 5–4 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court upheld this practice, although it remains controversial because of privacy issues.