Drawing Lines: Unrelated Probable Cause as a Prerequisite to Early DNA Collection

20 Pages Posted: 18 Jun 2012 Last revised: 3 Nov 2012

See all articles by David H. Kaye

David H. Kaye

PSU - Penn State Law (University Park); ASU - College of Law & School of Life Sciences

Date Written: 2012

Abstract

Swabbing the inside of a cheek has become part of the custodial arrest process in many jurisdictions. The majority view (thus far) is that routinely collecting DNA before conviction (and analyzing it, recording the results, and comparing them to DNA profiles from crime-scene databases) is consistent with Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, some judges and commentators have argued that DNA sampling in advance of a determination by a judge or grand jury of probable cause for the arrest or charge is unconstitutional. This essay shows that this demand is largely unfounded. Either warrantless, suspicionless DNA collection before conviction is unconstitutional across the board or it is permissible immediately after the arrest. The middle ground of requiring a probable-cause determination for an unrelated offense turns out to be inhospitable.

Keywords: DNA evidence, search and seizure, Fourth Amendment, arrest, probable cause, DNA databases

Suggested Citation

Kaye, David H., Drawing Lines: Unrelated Probable Cause as a Prerequisite to Early DNA Collection (2012). North Carolina Law Review Addendum, Vol. 91, No. 1, Oct. 2012, pp. 1-20, Penn State Law Research Paper No. 8-2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2064074

David H. Kaye (Contact Author)

PSU - Penn State Law (University Park)

Lewis Katz Building
University Park, PA 16802
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.personal.psu.edu/dhk3/index.htm

ASU - College of Law & School of Life Sciences ( email )

111 E Taylor St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.personal.psu.edu/dhk3/index.htm

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