SUBJECT:
GENETIC- BIOMETRIC DATABASE REDUCE CRIME
PURPOSE:
This briefing note is a recommendation for changes in policy pertaining
to the collection and storing of genetic and biometric information.
ISSUE:
There is not enough regulation for the collection and storing of genetic and biometric information in a database.
Background:
Unsolved crime is a problem which the
country needs to address. Only about
half of the violent crime and a third of property crime that occur in the USA are
reported to the police. Most of these
crimes that are reported don’t result in an arrest, charging or prosecution of
the subject. Although some crimes are
reported, many remain unsolved. Individuals
and families are further impacted as a result because there is always the
potential that these suspects could reoffend.
According to CBS News recidivism is very probable. In 2005, 68% of 405,000 prisoners were
released in 30 states and within 3 years of their release, were arrested for a
new crime and further, 77% were arrested within 5 years. These criminals pose a risk to the safety of
the community. The government and the
police must continue to administer justice and refine legislations so that
crime rates may be further reduced. In
some communities it is important to understand the relationship between fear. There is an concept referred to as, “functional
fear.” Through this, people then take precautions to prevent criminal activity
from occurring. The, “fearing subject,”
is then someone who becomes responsible for the safety of him- herself and his
or her property. In general, people
report being fearful to a much greater extent than they report.
Considerations:
It has never been a safer community than it
is today. This is a result of
legislations designed to reduce and prosecute criminals. Through the theory of deterrence these
criminals are dissuaded from conducting criminal activity. It is a widely known fact that in the USA and
other developed countries, violent crime and property crime have declined
sharply. According to the FBI, in 2015,
61.5% of murders, 54% aggravated assault, 37.8% rape, 29.3% robbery, 21.9%
larceny, 13.1% motor vehicle theft, and 12.9% burglary cases were cleared by
the police. This means that they were
able to find the suspect, prosecute and sentence. Although these numbers look promising, there
could be more done to reduce the rate of crime and further deter criminals from
engaging in it. In some countries
fingerprinting is used as a mandatory form of identification. Furthermore, a database of genetic
information can be created by collecting blood samples from newborns and
profiling it. Although, these can be
solutions to the modern day of unsolved crimes, these two methods pose a
concern of human rights. In Canada,
consent is needed to collect this type of information and store it. These information are protected by the Freedom
of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Privacy Act. If Canada is to progress, relevant legislation
would need to be reworked to include these proposed solutions so as to not
cause a concern for human rights. The main
stakeholders for this matter are citizens, criminals, police and the
government. This matter is the
jurisdiction of the provincial government as according to S92 of the Canadian
Constitution.
Options:
Option 1:
Create a genetic database.
Collecting genetic data from infants when
they a born is a good measure to assist in solving unsolved crimes. Many unsolved crimes are solved because of
DNA left behind in crime scenes. This could
include skin samples, saliva, hair amongst others. Having a database with which to compare and
identify the DNA found in crime scene would allow the justice system to administer
justice accordingly. Often unsolved crimes
go on for years, and data are stored accordingly. With mandating a genetic data base, police can
then begin to solve these crimes. This
would effectively create a safer community for neighborhoods and
districts. This option is not feasible
as legislation would need to be reworked to allow for this database to
exist. However, this option is very
equitable. It would benefit those who
have previously suffered from crime the potential to ascertain justice, thus
giving the victims equity. This option
is also very sustainable as it will create a safer community in which people
can feel at ease.
Option 2:
Mandatory finger printing.
This option is also not as feasible because
as mentioned, legislation would need to be once again reworked and pushed
through parliament. However, it could
easily be implemented via finger printing for identification on government
issued ID. This option along with the
previous will allow many crimes to be revaluated so that they may finally be
solved. This would then give hopeful
victims equity. This is also a
sustainable option as it would continue to deter criminals.
Option 3:
Combination of option 1 and option 2.
This is the least feasible option of the
four. This option would require a lot of
cooperation from the bureaucracy of the government and police. Many legislations would need to be reworked
and revised. However, the benefit of
this option is its ability to significantly deter criminals from recidivism and
from committing in the first place.
Through a safer community, people would have more equity as others will
be less likely to commit crime. This is
also the most sustainable option of the four because it promotes a safe
community in which each and every citizen can feel at ease.
Option 4:
Status quo: Not working which is
why we have options.
This is the most feasible option however,
as mentioned the crime rate can still be reduced. Moreover, there are still victims of crime
that have criminal cases which are opening and have not been solved. Where then is the equity for these
people? There are also government
programs which serve to compensate people however, the compensation is far less
than the value of what these people have lost.
Therefore, policy makers should prioritize reducing the crime rate
rather than reliance on such programs in order to ensure the self interest of
people are in check.
Recommendation:
Option three is recommended.
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