ACLU Alarmed At Justice Department Move to Collect DNA, Violates Privacy Rights and Causes Further Delays in Overwhelmed System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media@dcaclu.org
WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union criticized the Justice Department’s move to collect DNA samples of individuals who are arrested or detained by federal authorities – even if they are not convicted, or charged with a crime. That collection was authorized in an amendment authored by Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and John Cornyn (R-TX) to the Violence Against Women Act in 2005.
The following may be attributed to Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office:
“Wholesale DNA collection violates basic American values about our right to privacy. DNA is far more than a simple fingerprint. DNA testing reveals medical information about individuals and their families – and the practice of keeping these samples permanently is an open invitation to data mining.
“Prosecution of rapists will be further delayed by this poorly conceived program. The huge backlog of rape kits waiting to be tested will continue to grow as the government collects DNA from hundreds of thousands or even millions of individuals arrested or detained. This includes those who are never actually charged with a crime – and those who are charged and found innocent.
“Backlogs mean justice denied for victims. The Justice Department should focus on doing the job right when it comes to following up on the few serious crimes that do involve DNA evidence, and not wasting limited police resources on mass DNA testing.”
The ACLU’s letter on the Kyl-Cornyn Amendment is available at: www.aclu.org/crimjustice/gen/19885leg20050929.html
Stay Informed
Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy policy.
The Latest in National Security
-
ACLU Acknowledges Improvements to DOJ Racial Profiling Policy, But Says Far More is Needed
-
ACLU Applauds Court For Allowing Case Challenging FBI’s Wrongful Prosecution of Chinese American Physics Professor To Move Forward
-
Shen v. Simpson
-
Chinese Immigrants Sue Florida Over Unconstitutional and Discriminatory Law Banning Them From Buying Land
ACLU's Vision
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
Learn More About National Security
The ACLU’s National Security Project is dedicated to ensuring that U.S. national security policies and practices are consistent with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights.