05.14.2009 9:34 am
DNA testing bill passes
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sen. Matt Bartle votes aye on a 2004 DNA testing bill.
JEFFERSON CITY — The House has sent a bill that would expand DNA profiling to the governor.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, would require that anyone arrested for some felonies and first- or second-degree burglary be DNA tested.
Some lawmakers who were leery about collecting DNA put in a provision that would ensure that unless the suspect is convicted, the DNA sample will be thrown out.
“We will be requiring citizens of our state to cede some privacy in exchange for public good,” said Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Lee’s Summit.
I think we should collect samples from career politicians to identify them when they move from job to job.
Why must the public cede some privacy and not our lawmakers who come up with these continual encroachments on our privacies. I DON’T TRUST that they will destroy or throw out the DNA sample if the person is not convicted. (We’ll have it for next time) And what are the “some felonies” that would qualify for the collection of said persons DNA or can we expect as usual for it to be “at the discretion” of said law enforcement agency to be determine upon your arrest.
AMS