Gardai will take DNA samples from start of new year

sunnyjim

Apparently Gardai will be able to take DNA samples from offenders where the jail time carries a term of 5 years or over.

http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/national-dna-database-to-be-created-438989.html

20/12/2009 - 10:21:02
Gardaí are to be given the power to take DNA samples from suspects.

Under legislation being published early in the new year samples can be taken from suspects in cases where the crime carries a jail term of five years or more.

DNA profiles will then be stored in a new database.

The creation of a national DNA database is expected to be highly controversial but Justice Minister Dermot Ahern sees it as a major intelligence resource for gardaí in the fight against serious crime.

The bill to create the database allows for DNA samples of convicted criminals and sex offenders to be stored permanently.

Samples which are taken from suspects who are later released without charge or acquitted in court will have their DNA kept in the database for three years.

Gardaí will be able to compare samples taken from crime scenes against those stored in a purpose-built forensic science laboratory in Co Kildare.

The database will also be used to help identify missing persons.

Read more: http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/national-dna-database-to-be-created-438989.html#ixzz0aE8nvb4r

Awaiting incoming fire from the usual conspiracy theorists.

Agent Smith

If you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide.

sunnyjim

Yeah, but they don't seem to get that, A_J. It's all 'Big Brother' this and 'Police State' that.

Shield

sunnyjim wrote: »

Awaiting incoming fire from the usual conspiracy theorists.

Any 'Big Brother' or 'Police State' rubbish will be deleted. Discuss the new power/legislation as it relates to this forum only. In other words, how it will affect members of AGS in terms of training, handling, additional time and paperwork, non-compliance and so on. If you have conspiracy theories, take them to CT.

Ian Beale

How can anyone really argue against this,it can only be a benefit, like really what do they think will happen, I doubt anyone will want to clone them sure don't you already have to deal with them enough never mind their twins

kerry4sam

sunnyjim wrote: »

Apparently Gardai will be able to take DNA samples from offenders where the jail time carries a term of 5 years or over.

http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/national-dna-database-to-be-created-438989.html ...

I am all for this if I'm honest. Only for me, I think DNA samples should be taken from EVERYONE who is given ANY sentence and not just from those who get a term of 5-years or over.

It is long overdue for Ireland to have a DNA-database, it hasn't come before time as far as I am concerned. Yes it would mean more work for members but seriously, when thinking of the advantages in even a few months from activation, it will be worth it surely.

sunnyjim

How would the chain of custody work for this?

gerire

kerry4sam wrote: »

I am all for this if I'm honest. Only for me, I think DNA samples should be taken from EVERYONE who is given ANY sentence and not just from those who get a term of 5-years or over.

Under legislation being published early in the new year samples can be taken from suspects in cases where the crime carries a jail term of five years or more.

What you have said and what the power has are 2 different things; they do not have to get a 5 year sentence just the ability to give 5 years has to be there; In other words the offence must be an arrestable offenct, which includes Theft.

So for the theft of a snickers bar you will now be swabbed; tis a great thinig imo

kerry4sam

gerire wrote: »

What you have said and what the power has are 2 different things; they do not have to get a 5 year sentence just the ability to give 5 years has to be there; In other words the offence must be an arrestable offenct, which includes Theft.

So for the theft of a snickers bar you will now be swabbed; tis a great thinig imo

typo by me, still think it's long overdue in Ireland.

the locust

I heard of other pieces of legislation only in Bill/idea stage where they could for example... if there was a murder rape etc... every persons living in a certain radius of the crime scene etc must provide a sample... i.e. whole estates. Don't know if that would pass via the human rights side of things though.

That said I think it fairly obvious that DNA evidence is the way forward for solving crime.

TheNog

A very welcome development. Hope proper training and resources are put in place on the ground. It will be a great tool for inveestigations.

DubMedic

TheNog wrote: »

It will be a great tool for inveestigations.

Is this another one of those fancy gadgets, like the veee-hicle?.

.

Guy:Incognito

the locust wrote: »

I heard of other pieces of legislation only in Bill/idea stage where they could for example... if there was a murder rape etc... every persons living in a certain radius of the crime scene etc must provide a sample... i.e. whole estates. Don't know if that would pass via the human rights side of things though.

That said I think it fairly obvious that DNA evidence is the way forward for solving crime.

I'm most likely going to get abuse from a certain section but imo everyones dna should be on file.

It could only make solving a huge amount of cimes much quicker and easier, requiring much less footwork for ags and leaving them much more of their actual worktime being out and about preventing crimes from happening rather than havign to react to crimes that have happened.


I'm fairly hardline in my views on criminals though

G_R

Stekelly wrote: »

I'm most likely going to get abuse from a certain section but imo everyones dna should be on file.

this

take a sample at birth and be done with it.

as has been said, nothing to hide; nothing to fear

arybvtcw0eolkf

Tbbh I think this should be done on every individual from birth.

I'd also extend it to visitors to the country also.

Shield

...but since it's not a discussion about taking DNA samples from babies, let's bring it back on topic please?

pa990

This sounds like a new work practice ..

seanybiker

i think any jail time should mean automatic DNA taking. Id give DNA sample voluntarily if it was possible. It would be my proof that I didnt do any serious crimes.