- 01 Introduction
- 02 Biology of DNA
- 03 Practical Issues Specific to DNA Evidence
- 04 Introduction to the Forensic DNA Laboratory
- 05 Assuring Quality in DNA Testing
- 06 Understanding a Forensic DNA Lab Report
- 07 Statistics and Population Genetics
- 08 Mitochondrial DNA & Y-STR Analysis
- 09 Forensic DNA Databases
- 10 Collection of DNA Evidence from Suspects and Arrestees
- 11 Pretrial DNA Evidence Issues
- 12 Victim Issues
- 13 Trial Presentation
- 14 Postconviction DNA Cases
- 15 Emerging Trends
Principles of Forensic DNA
for Officers of the Court
for Officers of the Court
Module 10 :: Collection of DNA
Topic 2 :: Key Legal Issues Surrounding the Collection of DNA Evidence
DNA Dragnets
The use of a dragnet—or temporary seizure of a large number of individuals—to gather DNA evidence is forbidden. The law requires individualized suspicion before a person may be detained and individualized probable cause before an individual may be arrested.
However, there is no constitutional prohibition on requesting DNA samples from large numbers of people who are not detained or arrested, provided the consent is obtained voluntarily.
