Jul 03 2008
Sanford Vetoes DNA Bill
COLUMBIA — Gov. Mark Sanford on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have expanded the use of genetic information in criminal cases, saying collecting DNA samples when suspected felons are arrested is an invasion of privacy.
“We see this legislation as a reach past that very foundation upon which this country was founded,” Sanford told legislators in his veto. He called the bill a “further encroachment on our civil liberties and privacy rights.”
And that it is, Governor. Amen for Mark Sanford. There were just too many problems with this bill.
The legislation required a DNA sample to be taken when people were arrested for felonies as well as for eavesdropping, peeping or stalking. Those samples could be destroyed if suspects are not convicted.
The governor cited statistics showing that only about 40 percent of people arrested on felony charges are convicted.
And how could the destruction of those samples by proved? Would we actually be expected to trust the government?
There were some other good provisions in the bill that I would like to see passed at some point. I favor prisoners having the right to DNA testing to prove their innocense. There was also a condition that would have allowed family members of missing persons to have their DNA tested against unidentified remains.
DNA sampling is at the core of those efforts because of the potential for finding cold hits on old crimes and getting repeat offenders off the streets, McConnell said.
“It is the public’s civil right to be protected in their person and their property,” he said. “This bill was the single biggest thing that we could do in the battle against violent crime.”
At the expense of civil liberties, Glenn. Wise up.
