Would people actually think it to be an invasion of privacy....?

Question

If everyone, at least in the US to start, were asked to give fingerprint and DNA samples. If they have nothing to hide there should be no problem right. Let alone think of all the unsolved crimes that could be solved and the fact that people would be more afraid to commit a crime knowing that their samples are on file.

Ok I see alot of you are freakin out over this. I want to add that I am totally for keeping what few civil rights we have left and completely against that isiot in the white house. I was simply watching an episode of "Forensic Files" and they had siad something like "We were luck the DNA or fingerprints matched"...So I just thought if there was a database of everyone's prints and DNA sepquence.

Answer 1

The theory that if you have nothing to hide you shouldn't care is contrary to the very concept of American freedom. The government needs to have a rational basis before it can investigate you. Allowing the government to compile a database of information on all of its citizens would strike at the very core of individual liberty. I may have nothing to hide, but it is not my burden to prove that. Would the government be allowed to come search through my home, simply to make sure I'm innocent, without me complaining because I've done nothing wrong? Of course not. The same standard applies here.

Answer 2

Conceptually it would be no different from what they do now, by taking baby footprints and recording them on birth certificates. Or by requiring fingerprints for applying for certain types of permits/licenses, etc.

It is about identification. No different than taking a photograph for a driver's license.

The problem is that taking DNA is viewed as being much more intrusive. However it is the best identifier out there.

The dirty truth is actually quite simple, we all want to get away with stuff, at least for some things. As a rule, however, no one wants to admit that, that is why we all fear a police state. It is human nature. The way we reconcile a civilized orderly society with a natural desire to get away with some stuff is by creating some kind of "right to privacy" concept. As long as we keep certain of our skeletons out of the public eye, as a society we decide that it is better to leave that alone than go on witch hunts.

Answer 3

It's not so much more of an invasion of privacy than already exists. The government issues all citizens a social security card, driver's license, eventually everyone will need a passport. Law enforcement can always access records of your utility and phone bills to determine your address, and if you are suspect in a crime they can request your DNA.

I don't think this will happen, it would be quite costly to start such a program to catalog every US citizen's DNA.

Answer 4

I personally would support such a process. An idea would be that prior to getting your driver's license or state ID card (teens/immigrants) or SS card (at birth) this information would become part of the national/federal Database (Db). With all the fingerprints on file at check processors and the like, it seems that a plan of collaboration wouldn't be unthinkable. Another benefit would be in healthcare management and claims fraud which is just as much a savings for tax payers as a crime Db.

Answer 5

i think it would be a great idea to have a DNA database. you can say it's an invasion of privacy if you want, but personally i believe it would be a small sacrifice to make to ensure that more child molesters and rapist get caught and actually prosecuted. it would definitely alleviate a lot of the emotional trauma kids have to go though during the whole testifying and court process.
and yes, like the osborne chick suggested, there would likely be a dishonest person who take advantage of that power position and authority, but that already happens -judges, prison wardens, um, presidents?
the end result would far outweigh any of that. more crimes would actually get solved, more criminals would actually be caught and punished. more victims and their families would have the peace and satisfaction of justice served.

Answer 6

Well, if an officer came to my door and asked to look around in my house, I would ask him for a warrant. If he didn't have one, I would refuse to let him in. It's not that I have something to hide, but in the USA, if we don't defend our freedoms they will slowly get chipped away. Perhaps not having such a system of fingerprints and DNA samples lets criminals off the hook, but it's the price we pay for living in a country with such good civil liberties. All criminals get their fingerprints on file anyway!

Answer 7

It sounds like a great idea in theory but one problem is not all people in the world are honest. So lets say one these people who works in a facility where your DNA is stored wants to commit a heinous crime, then plants your DNA at the scene.
It's just the start of a slippery slope....I'm not ready to live in that world yet.

Answer 8

A lttle something called the 4th and 5th amendments to the Constitution. Fingerprinting is to be done after the arrest. To do it to law-abiding citizens is search and seizure without just cause.

Gee, nobody would think to wear gloves during the commission of a crime.

Answer 9

Any time you have to say, "If they have nothing to hide, there should be no problem," you're invariably dealing with an invasion of privacy at the least, more likely a blatant breach of the 4th Amendment. This case is no exception.

Answer 10

What the government could do is to consider issuing Smart Identity Cards to all citizens for which people may be required to provide fingerprints etc.