# Would you submit DNA in a voluntary genetic dragnet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 4, 2009, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362 "2009-08-04T23:55:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/21 "2009-08-05T04:20:39Z")
> [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](#): > > You’re missing the part where it is voluntary. The policy response to the idea of allowing this to be required of someone is a very different thread. How would voluntary testing accomplish anything other than enriching the the testing labs? Isn’t that just a waste of time and resources? Is the idea that the guilty party doesn’t know they did it and might accidently give a sample? Is local peer pressure supposed to urge you to get tested? Will there be wispering in the supermarket isles about those not providing a sample? Talking at school about a parent that didn’t test? It’s a witch hunt. Just the same sort of thing done in old Salem. And a piss poor law enforcement procedure for investigators who should be greeting at Wal-Mart instead of terrorizing the general population. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/22 "2009-08-05T04:24:24Z")
And yes, I am a privacy enthusiast. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/23 "2009-08-05T05:04:10Z")
Never. I was going to say something re warrants, but the OP says voluntary. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/24 "2009-08-05T05:09:20Z")
And at least at this point, 7-5 no to yes. Astonishing. No warrants, no PC, just a friendly, “Care to join the group of suspects we’re doing DNA analysis on?” ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/25 "2009-08-05T05:19:52Z")
Actually, you’d be _eliminating_ yourself from the pool of suspects (assuming you didn’t do it). I don’t see this as really being any different than the cops just asking you what your were doing on the night in question. The object is to rule people out, not rule them in. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/26 "2009-08-05T05:20:06Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Great Debates. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/27 "2009-08-05T05:26:52Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > _Anyone_ who didn’t volunteer would be placed under suspicion. Except we just showed that most would not volunteer. As you said- there’s a very high danger the DNA would get into a national database. And the way things are going, they be at my door in a couple years for $64,768 of speeding tickets or something. No warrant, no DNA. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/28 "2009-08-05T05:37:45Z")
> [@ghardester](#): > > Absolutely not! I have lived a trouble free life and after more than half a century I have never even had my fingerprints taken. Ah, see, having traveled to Places Overseas, both the Spanish government (where it’s standard and required) and the US government (Customs) already have my fingerprints… If it was in Spain, I’d do it (in Spain that kind of thing does come with a judge’s order, the cops can’t just ask for it and they’re not stupid enough to). If it was in the US, I’d find a lawyer first, then most-likely do it. The Spanish judge’s order for DNA sampling gives the cops permission to ask for my sample, but disobeying it wouldn’t be contempt to court or anything else that’s a crime or “fault” on its own, it’s “refusal to comply” and can be counted against you in some cases (eg child support cases) but won’t get you in trouble by itself; it is, therefore, still considered voluntary. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/29 "2009-08-05T06:01:43Z")
Sure, why not? The cops and I are on the same side. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/30 "2009-08-05T06:04:10Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Sure, why not? The cops and I are on the same side. Always? ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/31 "2009-08-05T06:47:50Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Actually, you’d be _eliminating_ yourself from the pool of suspects (assuming you didn’t do it). …assuming nothing goes wrong with the testing. If I don’t subject myself to that search I am not exposing myself to any flaws in DNA testing. > [@](#): > > I don’t see this as really being any different than the cops just asking you what your were doing on the night in question. The object is to rule people out, not rule them in. Where would they be asking me this? We have a joke around the household re the word “just.” “Just” knock this wall out. “Just” paint the front of the house. “Just” answer these questions. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/32 "2009-08-05T07:15:53Z")
No way. I got accused on a felony once in high school (blowing the hell out of everything on a construction site). I didn’t even know where the police were talking about let alone who was supposedly involved because it was many miles away. All of the guns in our house got confiscated and submitted for ballistics testing. Luckily, all I ever did at the time was go to school and work at my job at the local supermarket. My time card proved it could not have been me so they insisted that it must have been my younger brother — who also worked at the supermarket. If it weren’t for that simple fact, I don’t know what would have happened. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/33 "2009-08-05T07:39:05Z")
I’d do it. I’m trusting and I like to feel helpful… I guess I have “victim” written all over me, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/34 "2009-08-05T07:39:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Always? I’m not a criminal, so… yes. Occasionally they screw up and forget that we’re on the same side; when that occurs, I have an obligation to remind them. Acting like they’re the enemy is \*not \*the way to do this. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/35 "2009-08-05T07:45:53Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Absolutely not. Never volunteer anything to law enforcement. They can get a warrant, or they can get lost. The samples could get mixed up at the lab, contaminated, mis-tested, whatever. Fully agreed. Case closed. You come up with a scenario that contains evidence where you think I’m guilty. If you can’t do that, then the investigation is going in the wrong direction. The police need to regroup, not expect to find something in a ‘controlled’ DNA polling. “Fucking cops.” - Kyser Sose ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/36 "2009-08-05T07:55:59Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Sure, why not? The cops and I are on the same side. If you’re a cop or work for a prosecuting office, then yes. If you are neither one of those, then absolutely no fucking way are you on the same side. In the OP, a murder happens in your neighborhood, they ask to test everyone’s DNA, telling you the cops in your neighborhood were lucky enough to get a GED. They are not on your side in a case like this. ( WM3 comes to mind…) ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/37 "2009-08-05T08:15:08Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Absolutely not. Never volunteer anything to law enforcement. They can get a warrant, or they can get lost. The samples could get mixed up at the lab, contaminated, mis-tested, whatever. As someone who works pretty closely with law enforcement and respects the police and the law, I have to agree with this post. Seriously, never volunteer anything to the police unless there is a specific reason to, especially when the result of that offering could lead to your arrest. The police can, have, and WILL do everything in their power to destroy you if they think you’re a badguy. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/38 "2009-08-05T08:17:15Z")
If a murder occurs in my neighborhood I want the murderer \*caught \*- and I will do whatever I can to provide assistance to the people tasked with catching him. It’s called civic responsibility. And what do GEDs have to do with anything? ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/39 "2009-08-05T08:24:46Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > If a murder occurs in my neighborhood I want the murderer \*caught \*- and I will do whatever I can to provide assistance to the people tasked with catching him. It’s called civic responsibility. > > And what do GEDs have to do with anything? I agree, to a point. If the police are asking for your help, like “do you recognize this person?” I would help them with any information I had. The instant their request turns into “do you have an alibi” and “can I have/do XYZ to you in order to rule you out as a suspect?” the answer becomes no. No, no, no. Never submit to anything you don’t legally have to with the police, ever. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362/40 "2009-08-05T08:43:22Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > If a murder occurs in my neighborhood I want the murderer \*caught \*- and I will do whatever I can to provide assistance to the people tasked with catching him. It’s called civic responsibility. > > And what do GEDs have to do with anything? I was just saying that if this were your neighborhood, and the cops have no leads to the point of getting voluntary DNA samples, they didn’t even finish high school, and I do t necessarily mean the boys in the blues, I mean the guys in charge. Their investigation turned desperate most likely through their own mistakes. Now they look feeble, as described in the OP. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-submit-dna-in-a-voluntary-genetic-dragnet/505362.md?page=3)