Police

3.6 Politics and Government

DNA Data Collection

DNA DATABASES

Forensic scientists can use DNA in blood, semen, skin, saliva or hair found at a crime scene to identify a matching DNA of an individual.This process is called DNA profiling or DNA fingerprinting.

A DNA database can be used in the analysis of genetic diseases, genetic fingerprinting for criminology, or genetic genealogy.

DNA databases may be public or private.

The largest DNA database in the world is FBA’S CODIS.

Codis: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab/codis/codis

Advantages

• DNA testing of wrongly convicted convicts can help them get out of jail

• DNA testing helps identify those who have died • DNA testing helps individuals identify their biological

parents • Helps fight crime • Helps the police identify and track down leads/

suspects

Disadvantages

• Fraud DNA can be placed at the crime scene to frame an innocent individual • The DNA of many people in one database

has the potential to be hacked • People feel that surveillance takes away

their privacy rights • Police may misinterpret incoming

information and thus lead to the conviction on an innocent

Privacy concerns?

• Who has access to records?• How long are records kept?• How secure are the records?• Are the records used for

anything apart from crime investigation?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jADItDHOHOA

Surveillance

Surveillance

“Surveillance is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of

people.”

Surveillance• Eavesdropping• Phone Tapping • Listening Devices/Bugs• CCTV• GPS Tracking• Electronic Tagging• Military Reconnaissance• Satellite images• Computer surveillance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz6ce92mnSM

CCTV – the most used form of surveillance

Advantages•Lowers crime rate•Protects employees, makes them feel secure.•Keeps record of what happens

Disadvantages•Dont always work, they can be easily covered up or avoided by people who know the properties.•Privacy issues.

Any social and ethical issues?

Surveillance - Issues

• 1.1 Reliability?• 1.2 Integrity?• 1.3 Security?• 1.4 Privacy and anonymity?• 1.5 Authenticity?• 1.6 Intellectual property?• 1.7 Equality of access?• 1.8 Control?• 1.9 Globalization and cultural diversity?• 1.10 Policies and standards?• 1.11 People and machines?

Police

3.6 Politics and Government