Charlotte Cagliostro
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics C Odd / Current Event #1
9/10/19
Ransom, Jan, and Ashley Southall. “N.Y.P.D. Detectives Gave a Boy, 12, a Soda. He Landed in a DNA Database.” The New York Times, 15 Aug. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/nyregion/nypd-dna-database.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FForensic%20Science&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection.
In this NY Times Article, Jan Ransom and Ashley Southall discuss how police departments across the country are collecting thousands of DNA samples without suspects’ consent. In several states, when certain individuals are convicted, arrested, or even just questioned, the police have the legal ability to seize DNA samples without consent, and often exercise that right. They can simply test a cigarette butt or a McDonald’s straw, like they recently did to a 12-year-old boy in New York. All of these DNA samples are then uploaded to a database. Individuals can sue to have their sample be removed through legal petition, but the process takes about a year. The police departments and state governments claim that these databases are good; they provide an unbiased way of proving who is guilty and who is not.
This article is quite relevant in today’s world. We can only expect that, as time passes, more and more DNA samples will be collected, thereby growing the database to new levels. Many argue that this is an invasion of privacy, since many of these samples are not collected with consent. However, government officials and police officers argue that the system only serves to protect the innocent and help prosecute the guilty. It is clear that whatever drawbacks the databases come with, they do make the police departments more efficient.
These authors did an exceptional job presenting this topic. They wrote in a very sophisticated, complex manner, and were able to maintain my interest. I enjoyed how they centered in on one specific case (the 12-year-old boy). However, I think that, at times, their bias became evident, so if I had to critique one thing, I would say that they should refrain from inputting their own opinions into their articles.
2 comments:
Ellie Dessart
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics C Odd
26 September 2019
Current Event 3 Comment
Citation: Ransom, Jan, and Ashley Southall. “N.Y.P.D. Detectives Gave a Boy, 12, a Soda. He
Landed in a DNA Database.” The New York Times, 15 Aug. 2019,
www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/nyregion/nypd-dna-database.html?rref=collection%2Fti
estopic%2FForensic%20Science&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion
stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection.
Charlotte composed a compelling, well-written review of her article. Firstly, her summary was clear and straightforward. Despite the lengthiness of the original New York Times post, she effectively drafted a concise summary that still managed to communicate the main ideas. Secondly, Charlotte did an excellent job remaining objective and portraying the two sides of the case. For example, “It is clear that whatever drawbacks the databases come with, they do make the police departments more efficient.” Furthermore, by acknowledging the varying perspectives, Charlotte helps readers gain a stronger understanding of the case and its effects in their entirety. Thirdly, I found Charlotte’s comment on the original author’s subjectivity intriguing, “I think that, at times, their bias became evident, so if I had to critique one thing, I would say that they should refrain from inputting their own opinions into their articles.” Charlotte’s critique here is consistent with the objective style in her own review, strengthening her own writing.
While I enjoyed Charlotte’s review, there were a few areas for improvement. Firstly, I wish she described the 12-year-old’s case in more detail. Charlotte only vaguely mentioned the boy in her summary, “They can simply test a cigarette butt or a McDonald’s straw, like they recently did to a 12-year-old boy in New York.” Since the article title mentioned him, I was curious to know more about his specific situation and how it affected forensic science. Secondly, while I liked Charlotte’s criticism of the author’s bias, she could have elaborated more on why objectivity is deemed necessary by some. Why does it matter? How does it affect perception? Is an article weakened by subjectivity?
Overall, I enjoyed Charlotte’s review. It was interesting to see the growth in our DNA database as the years go on, tools develop, and our police force becomes stronger. Additionally, her review helped me consider the costs of strengthening the efficiency of police and science departments when it comes to human privacy. Overall, I gained more appreciation for the advancements in technology, resulting in better safety and protection for all of us.
Citation:
Ransom, Jan, and Ashley Southall. “N.Y.P.D. Detectives Gave a Boy, 12, a Soda. He
Landed in a DNA Database.” The New York Times, 15 Aug. 2019,
www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/nyregion/nypd-dna-database.html?rref=collection%2Fti
estopic%2FForensic%20Science&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion
stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection.
-properly formatted
I enjoyed reading Charlotte’s eloquent review of a NY Times Article about DNA samples without consent. Charlotte begins her review by nicely addressing the issue: that across the country there are thousands of police departments collecting DNA samples without people's consent, despite the fact that it is legal. I found this to be direct and concise. Charlotte proceeded to adequately bring an example of a 12-year-old boy in New York whose McDonald’s straw was tested without consent, bringing attention to this article and issue. Last, Charlotte does an insightful job of contrasting both sides of the argument. While the DNA database provides an unbiased way of proving who is guilty and who is not, it is also an issue of privacy, for those who may not be guilty.
I think Charlotte could have taken her review even further, as to bringing in our obligation and morale as human beings to be able to hold people accountable for there actions in an efficient way, versus valuing our “privacy.” It is an interesting ethical debate. Also, charlotte mentions the story with the tweleve-year-old boy, but I would have liked to see her go a little more in-depth about the issue, how it was handled, and the controversy that initiated the article to be written.
I greatly enjoyed Charlottes review. I had no idea that we did not have to give consent for our DNA to be taken and entered into a database. It definitely made me want to learn more about my own rights in regard to my DNA and who can see it/have it. I chose to read review because I am very interested in NYC true crime shows and saw the NYPD in the title.
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