The examination of biological evidence has changed over the last 20 years with the establishment of DNA labs within forensic science laboratory systems. An inevitable follow-up to DNA analysis is the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). DNA labs upload data to state and national DNA data banks where DNA profiles are stored and compared against samples found at crime scenes for which origins are unknown. States have enacted laws that mandate the submission of a DNA sample for storage in the CODIS databank to be compared against samples from past and future cases. In the past, only convicted offenders have been required to submit a sample and now talk centers around arrestee submission. In addition, laws have been written to require the submission for what might be considered lesser and lesser crimes. What do you think about the requirement of convicted offender vs. arrestee sample submission and the degree of crime to which the submission requirement should be extended? What would be your objective perspective on these facts, weighing all sides and ammendments?

Do you feel that only convicted offenders should be required to submit a sample or should arrestees be required also?

For what crimes should DNA submission be required? 

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The question of whether only convicted offenders should be required to submit DNA samples or if arrestees should also be mandated to do so along with the degree of crime to which this requirement shou... View the full answer