Thursday, September 26, 2019

EVERY NEW POLICE PRACTICE HAS ITS NAYSAYERS

‘Rapid DNA’ Promises Breakthroughs In Solving Crimes. So Why Does It Face A Backlash?

LAPPL News Watch
September 25, 2019

For decades, scientists have used ever-improving DNA forensics to help solve crimes and detect suspects in cold cases such as the Golden State Killer. But it has never been quick work: Laboratory analyses of genetic evidence can take weeks, even months to complete.

That could all change, if private companies succeed in widely marketing a device called “Rapid DNA.” The printer-sized boxes — costing up to $250,000 apiece — can analyze a sample of blood, saliva or other biological matter in about 90 minutes, and they have a number of potential applications.

A machine developed by Colorado-based ANDE Corp. helped identify victims of the 2018 Paradise fire and the more recent Conception dive boat disaster.

But it is the prospective use of Rapid DNA in criminal investigations that is setting off alarm bells. Both privacy advocates and some forensic scientists fear police will abuse the technology to test people without their informed consent, or to mishandle evidence that could compromise prosecutions.

1 comment:

Trey Rusk said...

Most DNA results come back to people without their informed consent. Ancestry DNA kits have flooded the markets. People buy them as gifts for others to track their ancestry. All of the kit results are kept in a data base available for use by LE. There have been a lot of surprises forthcoming from the results. Some people soon realized that what they have been told about there family was not true. Others have had the results used to catch themselves or close relatives who have committed crimes.

This is the way it is. There will be no turning back. Sort of like buying a Smart TV and wondering if people are listening in your home. They are.