Law to Update Criminal Code and DNA Database
Updating Criminal Code and DNA Tracking
This proposed law wants to change how police collect DNA. Right now, police can only take your DNA after you're convicted of certain crimes. This proposed law would let them take your DNA sooner. If you're arrested for a violent crime, like assault or murder, police could take your DNA sample. This sample would go into a national database. This change affects anyone arrested for a violent crime. It also affects victims of crime. If a suspect's DNA is in the database, it could help solve other crimes. This could bring closure to victims and their families. It could also prevent future crimes. This matters because it could help police solve more crimes. It could also raise privacy concerns. Some people worry about the government having too much of their personal information. Others believe it's a good way to keep communities safe.
Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about
Expanding DNA collection upon arrest, particularly for violent crimes, aligns with a 'tough on crime' approach by potentially increasing detection and prosecution rates.
Expanding DNA collection could disproportionately affect certain demographics, raising privacy and potential discrimination concerns.
This proposed law expands the list of offenses for which DNA can be collected, which could help solve more crimes. However, it also broadens the scope to include offenses that may not warrant such an intrusion, and relies on punishment length as a threshold.
Things to Watch For
- It is unclear if the expansion of DNA collection will disproportionately affect certain communities.
- The law does not address how collected DNA will be stored and used in the long term.
- The inclusion of 'secondary designated offenses' may lead to collection for less serious crimes.
- The law does not specify a process for removing DNA from the database if a person is later exonerated.
- The financial costs of collecting and processing more DNA samples are not discussed.
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How likely this proposed law is to be approved
This proposed law is at the report stage in the Senate, but it was proposed by a single senator, not the government. Senate public bills have a low chance of becoming law.
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