This is a rather amazing move — collecting DNA from people who have been arrested, but not convicted. It is fantastic that this will help solve other cases unrelated to the current arrest. But it’s also a bit questionable in terms of civil rights. I’ll need to learn more to really form an opinion on this (even though I cheer at the thought of solving cold cases!).

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/us/19DNA.html?_r=1&hp

Law enforcement officials are vastly expanding their collection of DNA to include millions more people who have been arrested or detained but not yet convicted. The move, intended to help solve more crimes, is raising concerns about the privacy of petty offenders and people who are presumed innocent.