Kaye quoted in Times-Dispatch

Regents' Professor of Law David Kaye

     An article in the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch titled, “Good forensics or an invasion of privacy/DNA-databank debate: Should everyone be there?,” included comments from David Kaye, a  Regents' Professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and a Faculty Fellow at its Center for the Study of Law, Science, & Technology.
     Kaye was quoted by Times-Dispatch staff writer Frank Green in a March 8 article on controversy over whose DNA should be included in forensic databanks. The current controversy centers on what types of criminals should be included, but some experts believe the debate must be expanded to determine if everyone’s DNA profile should be available for searching, Green reported.
     A universal databank is a good idea because it would be a stronger deterrent to crime, solve more crimes than is now possible and help ease racial disparities in the justice system, Kaye said.
     “If you include profiles from everyone arrested … you can end up with an incredible percentage of young, black, inner-city males ending up on file compared to other groups. That creates a perception, at least, of bias,” Kaye told Green.
     With a databank of everyone’s DNA profile, Kaye said, “the police will have a more comprehensive list and a more powerful tool for investigations and for exonerating individuals.”
     However, Green reported, others warn of a pervasive privacy infringement and predict a Fourth Amendment court challenge.