Rich Prize Dangled To Spur Anti-Crime Technology (Bloomberg's DNA technology dream)

The city is planning to offer a six-figure prize if an inventor can formulate a handheld device that can analyze DNA at crime scenes, Mayor Bloomberg announced yesterday.

"We'll use the latest technology to continue turning up the heat on criminals — and, to more quickly exonerate the innocent. The single most powerful way to do both is through DNA analysis," Mr. Bloomberg said.

The prize was announced during the mayor's State of the City address, as was a broader initiative to press state lawmakers to pass legislation that would require DNA samples be provided by anyone who is arrested.

To win the invention prize — a privately funded pay-out the source of which has not been determined — a scientist will need to develop a platform that is capable of matching at least 13 different genetic traits, the number required to get a conviction. It will also have to fit in a briefcase, handle the wear and tear of daily use in the city, and determine a result within two hours.

There is no technology in the world capable of the city's specifications, Robert Giles, the executive director of research and development at a company that provides DNA testing services, Orchid Cellmark, said.

A Massachusetts-based research company, BioTrove, offers a bench-top system called OpenArray that can produce even more sophisticated results than the 13 markers required by the city. However, it would need to be transported in a van or truck and analysis takes at least 3 1/2 hours. The Bloomberg administration believes...

"Crimes like shoplifting are the ones that violent criminals often commit early in their careers," the president of the Citizen's Crime Commission, Richard Aborn, said. "It's important to get the samples early."

I'm going to address the issue of DNA.

DNA seems to be the ultimate identifier. As such there is going to be tremendous pressue exherted to develop a DNA database. I couldn't be more against this, if I had to pay to maintain the database myself.

It's been customary over the decades to keep fingerprints on file, and that is reasoned. We do want to be able to identify criminals. However, fingerprints do not provide your complete genetic code. What the government has, is a unique identifier. That's all.

When a person takes a sample of your DNA, they are not only taking an identifier, they are taking your essense. There will NEVER be a valid reason for the government to own that.

If a crime scene is worked and a DNA sample is developed, I do think it would be reasonable to ask a suspect for a DNA sample to compare. Once that comparison was done, if the individual was found innocent, then their DNA sample should be destroyed. It may been necessary to keep it on file for court prcedings, but afterwards a could assigned stipulation could verify a match, and the sample then be destroyed.

I'm not even comfortable with the government keeping DNA samples for criminals. Should the government have the genetic material in their control that would allow them to clone a person without their permission? If a sample is frozen, that is precisely what could take place. I have a hard time believing they will simply take the sample, develop a hard copy card printout or it's equivelent, then throw the sample away. It's my perception that they will be keeping samples on file. And no, not the FBI, Homeland Security, or even my mother has a right to keep my DNA in a cooler.

My DNA is my unique property, and as a human being no other entity has permission to keep a copy. I consider this to be the ultimate right that should be forever emblazened on the U.S. Constitution. You are the sole owner of your essense. It was given to you at inception, and no government, corporate, or private entity can own what is essentially you.

"Crimes like shoplifting are the ones that violent criminals often commit early in their careers," the president of the Citizen's Crime Commission, Richard Aborn, said. "It's important to get the samples early."

I've been reading up on this mope the last 1/2 hour or so. He's a real piece of work. And from what I've read I think he was born too late - he'd have fit right in with the Nazi's SS or Soviet KGB.

And his shoplifting line is utter baloney. It's just another lie in a long list he's spewed to promote his agenda of state control over everyone. That's pretty much confirmed by his 'get samples early' line (How about at birth you pos, is that early enough?)

On second thought forget the Nazi SS. He's a stinking Commie through and through. I think he should take his idea over to Moscow and talk to Putin. He'd prolly put him in charge of the DNA gathering program. That may stroke this power hungry, dirt bag's over inflated ego for a while.

Or he an hang around the U.S. and 'hope' Rooty Mussolini gets elected.

(I'd say 'pray' but I have a feeling this sh*t head thinks HE'S God)

Crazy philosophy. The ability to identify people for security screening and crime identification trumps personally liberty concerns... this is such a small thing.

It’s like having a central database with DNA, SSN# and so forth. We need this in the war on terror more than anything. We could IDENTIFY everyone within 24 hours once this database is cleaned up(just as we need for driver’s licenses, Credit cards and voter registration and taxes).

This is crazy to even have to discuss.

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