The Herald editorial on the Jan. 26 requires a response. The logic is illogical and shows a lack of understanding both of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution and the purpose of Senate Bill 5095, which proposes the gathering of DNA.
First of all, the Fourth Amendment states a person shall be secure in their persons, houses … against unreasonable searches and seizures … but upon probable cause…. When a person is arrested, this is upon “probable cause,” therefore the Fourth Amendment is being followed to the letter.
Furthermore, the taking of identifiable data, i.e., fingerprints, from arrested individuals is established policy. The taking of DNA, which is also identifiable data, is a natural progression of this policy. Fingerprints and DNA are acceptable means of identification so the established policy remains the same.
The Herald states, in comparing minor crimes to what they consider major crimes, that, “Very little evidence shows shoplifting leads to violence.” While on the surface that statement seems to give credence to the stand that DNA should not be gathered, the undeniable facts are that people who commit any type of crime are likely to commit other types of crime. A study of violent criminals shows they commit all types of crime on a regular basis. The Herald’s statement is absurd in its entirety.
The Herald shows the paranoia of the liberal segment of society that thinks any attempt to improve the apprehension of violent criminals is somehow an attack upon their personal freedoms.
I am a strong advocate of individual rights and freedoms. If the government insisted upon arbitrarily gathering DNA data (or even fingerprints) without cause from the general population, I would fight them. That is not what Senate Bill 5095 requests!
Jim Brauch
Everett
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