DNA Upon Arrest: Solving Cold Cases or Presuming Guilt?

At least 32 states allow law enforcement to take DNA samples from suspects arrested for felony offenses and to enter the data into a national database called the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Advocates for DNA swabbing suspects say that it helps solve difficult cases and that it helps catch repeat offenders earlier in their criminal careers, thus preventing future crime. Opponents argue that swabbing suspects upon arrest demeans the presumption of innocence and that expungement can be time-consuming and expensive. Read the full article.