The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday upheld the power of law enforcement officers to take DNA samples from suspects of serious crimes, saying it's no different than fingerprinting or mug shots.
In a 5-4 decision, the highest court in the nation reinstated the 2003 rape conviction of a Maryland man that hinged on DNA collected when he was taken into custody in an unrelated assault case six years later.
"DNA identification of arrestees is a reasonable search that can be considered part of a routine booking procedure," said Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority.
"Taking and analyzing a cheek swab of the arrestee's DNA is, like fingerprinting and photographing, a legitimate police booking procedure that is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment," Kennedy said.
In a 5-4 decision, the highest court in the nation reinstated the 2003 rape conviction of a Maryland man that hinged on DNA collected when he was taken into custody in an unrelated assault case six years later.
"DNA identification of arrestees is a reasonable search that can be considered part of a routine booking procedure," said Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority.
"Taking and analyzing a cheek swab of the arrestee's DNA is, like fingerprinting and photographing, a legitimate police booking procedure that is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment," Kennedy said.
