WASHINGTON Senate bill would allow collection, records of suspects' DNA samples

WASHINGTON POST
WASHINGTON -- Suspects arrested or detained by federal authorities could be forced to provide samples of their DNA that would be recorded in a central database under a provision of a Senate bill to expand government collection of personal data.
The controversial measure was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee last week and is supported by the White House but has not gone to the floor for a vote. It goes beyond current law, which allows federal authorities to collect and record samples of DNA only from those convicted of crimes. The data are stored in an FBI-maintained national registry that law enforcement officials use to aid investigations, by comparing DNA from criminals with evidence found at crime scenes.
Sponsors insist that adding DNA from people arrested or detained would lead to prevention of some crimes and help solve others more quickly.
"When police retrace the history of a serial predator after he is finally caught, they often find that he never had a prior criminal conviction but did have a prior arrest," Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said in a statement. "That means the only way they are likely to catch such a perpetrator after his first crime -- rather than his 10th -- is if authorities can maintain a comprehensive database of all those who are arrested, just as we do with fingerprints."
Privacy advocates across the political spectrum say the proposal is another step in expanding government intrusion.
Privacy advocates are especially concerned about possible abuses, such as profiling based on genetic characteristics.