Charlotte Dotson
Mr. Ippolito
Current Event 17
3/2/20
Sandoval, Edgar. “N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database.” The
New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/nyregion/dna-nypd-database.html.
In this article, “N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database '', the NY Times reports that the New York Police Department will start removing 82,000 DNA profiles of people who have never been convicted of a crime. For years, the NYPD has been collecting DNA from people who have never been convicted of a crime. They do this by collecting DNA from people who are brought in for questioning, including minors. For about as long as this practice has taken place, it has been controversial. Advocates for civil liberties argue that the collection of DNA from innocent people is a violation of privacy rights. In an effort to lessen the criticism and controversy surrounding the NYPD, they will begin removing DNA profiles of those who have never been convicted. The process will begin with the removal of files that contain DNA belonging to those who were initially considered suspects in investigations, but later ruled out.
Despite this announcement, many are wary of trusting the NYPD to follow through. Terri Rosenblatt, the Supervising Attorney of the DNA Unit at The Legal Aid Society, believes, “Our lawmakers should step in with real control and oversight of the N.Y.P.D. and act to ban unlawful and unregulated DNA collection...All New Yorkers should reject anything less”. The rules regarding the collection of DNA evidence are becoming stricter. For example, a new rule prohibits the collection of DNA from a minor for a misdemeanor. In the event that a minors DNA could lawfully be taken (connection to a sex crime, firearm crime etc.) the ocnsent of both the individual and their parents is required.
The criticism facing the NYPD as well as the rules that have been enacted in response represent a growing challenge in the world of DNA technology. The collection of DNA by law enforcement, genetic companies, etc. has grown more and more controversial. Regardless of the practices the NYPD and other agencies follow, it is essential that they are 100% transparent. The NYPD should not be keeping the DNA of innocent individuals, specifically minors. As the article mentioned, once DNA is in the system it is extremely difficult to remove. It is unjust that a minor guilty of a petty crime or simply brought in for questioning should have his/her DNA stored for the rest of their life.
This article was written in an engaging and informative manner. I think the author did a great job of representing the perspective of civil liberties advocates and those opposed to the collection of DNA in unnecessary cases. Though I personally share this persepctive, I would have liked to have heard about why individuals in the NYPD (or individuals in similar positions) support the past practices of DNA collection. This opposing persepctive would have presented the reader with all the facts, allowing them to make their own opinion. Overall, this article was engaging and very interesting.
6 comments:
Ruby Howell
Mr.Ippolito
Current Event 17
March 3rd, 2020
Sandoval, Edgar. “N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/nyregion/dna-nypd-database.html.
The New York Times article N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database, discussed the NYPD’s controversial actions regarding their collecting DNA for their database of innocent people who have neither committed a crime or have been connected to one. Recently, the NYPD has reported that they will delete the 82,000 profiles on their DNA database which hold information of people who are completely innocent. One major component to the controversy behind this is the fact that a portion of these profiles are of minors, and the fact that some were taken without notice to the person the DNA belonged to. Commissioner Shea of the NYPD stated that “As a Department, we have reformed policies and practices to support a system that is fair and effective while also cultivating trust with the community,” as civil rights advocates have publically exclaimed their disgust of the NYPD’s actions, as they are against the recording and collecting of data on those who have not been convicted of a crime or connected to one.
I really appreciated how the reviewer of this article not only identified the issue with the NYPD’s practices, but also the problems that their actions are reflecting. She states that, “The criticism facing the NYPD as well as the rules that have been enacted in response represent a growing challenge in the world of DNA technology”. The reviewer also does an impressive job by identifying the problem along with the solution, stating that going forward, it is critical that they are honest and clear to the public what they are doing with their data. “Regardless of the practices the NYPD and other agencies follow, it is essential that they are 100% transparent.” I agree with the stance that the reviewer takes, as I believe that it is a human right for someone who is innocent to have control and to know where your personal information is being held and why. She even touches on the civil rights aspect of it all, “Advocates for civil liberties argue that the collection of DNA from innocent people is a violation of privacy rights.”
While I believe the reviewer did an excellent job overall with her review of the article, if I had to offer two areas of improvement, one would be to expand on her comments on the article, such as her statement about how “once DNA is in the system it is extremely difficult to remove”. This could be solved by a more thorough reading of the article, as it identified that a major part of it being hard to remove is because the public has no way of ensuring that the 82,000 profiles will be deleted. The second piece of advice I would give would be to explain the article in a more concise manner, as some details included were not necessary.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading both the article and the review of the article because I was able to gain a more thorough understanding of the topic at hand. For example, not only was I able to understand the authors opinion on the subject, but also the reviewers stance on the issue as well. I chose this article because I believe civil rights are very important and I think its interesting to see how they connect to the collection of DNA held in databases, such as the NYPD’s. I now have a changed perspective on the NYPD, as I was unaware of the abundant amount of profiles that have been recorded of innocent people.
Sophia Prior
Ippolito
Current Event 17
March 4, 2020
Sandoval, Edgar. “N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database.” The
New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/nyregion/dna-nypd-database.html.
After reading Charlotte’s article I believe it had a really definite and concise summary paragraph. In addition, it had a fascinating use of statistics about the DNA profiles about the people who are in the database but have never been convicted. I found this topic of research a very important topic because of the controversy around law enforcement and the governments collected of DNA
I think what Charlotte could have worked on was more quote integrations into her piece to add more supportive evidence. Also, I think she could have combined some more of their own judgments into the review.
Based on reading Charlotte’s article review, I acquired more information about the collection of DNA from people and how this is becoming more and more controversial in the forensic science world.
Angie Pearson
Ippolito
Current Event 17
March 4, 2020
Sandoval, Edgar. “N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database.” The
New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/nyregion/dna-nypd-database.html.
After reading Charlotte's review on “N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database," it is easy to see how well summarized this article is. First, Charlotte's writing was concise and easy to read. Second, she identified the issue with keeping non-criminal DNA profiles as well as the issues and problems that come along with it, which strengthened her argument. Finally I like how she added a few statistics, which also strengthened her argument.
Although Charlotte did a great job overall, there are a few placed that could be improved upon. First, integrating more of her opinion in the review would have made her piece even stronger, as well as adding a few quotes.
Overall, Charlotte's review was great and I learned about the improvements that could be made to the NYPD, as well as the controversies of collecting and keeping the DNA of individuals that are innocent.
Masha Popovic
Ippolito
Current Event 17
March 3, 2020
https://bhscsi.blogspot.com/
Sandoval, Edgar. “N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database.” The
New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/nyregion/dna-nypd-database.html.
For this current evet, I read Ms. Dotson’s report on an article explaining the removal of 82,000 DNA profiles of people who have never been convicted of a crime. The first thing I thought Charlotte did well was grab the readers attention. She executed this by providing concise, to-the-point information from the start. I was also very intrigued by the article itself, presenting relevant information to popular debates “today”. Charlotte also did a fantastic job at giving her through opinion of the article and reflecting her thoughts about her chosen reading.
One improvement that could have been made in this report, however, was the addition of more quotes. I would have loved to see some of the information mentioned backed up with specific evidence from the actual article. I also belive Charlotte could have engaged more opposing opinions and expand her opinion in areas where she did not agree with the article.
Overall, I belive Charlotte did a great job with this current event assignment. She chose an engaging article that I hope others get a chance to read.
Eve Balseiro
3/3/2020
Current Event Comment 17
Sandoval, Edgar. “N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/nyregion/dna-nypd-database.html.
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4250390869532540972&postID=1497403985276089627
Charlotte Dotson’s current event analysis of the article “N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database” was well-written and concise. There were three main factors that Charlotte did very well. Firstly, Charlotte quoted the article very well which made her sound very educated on the topic. Secondly, Charlotte kept her summary short and sweet, allowing the reader to comprehend the situation without dragging it on too long. Lastly, Charlotte’s choice of an article focusing on the NYPD was very smart of her as residents of New York the NYPD relates to all of us.
To improve, there are two main aspects Charlotte would improve on. Firstly, I wish Charlotte furthered emphasized the current debate of whether or not DNA profiles are invading privacy or keeping people safe. Secondly, I think if she had included her own point of view it could have added another layer to her work.
From Charlotte’s current event article I got to understand the other side of the argument, as most of the articles I’ve read or commented on highlight the importance of DNA profiles in solving cases. This article provided a different point of view.
Riley Morgan
Mr Ippolito
Forensics d Odd
3/3/20
Sandoval, Edgar. “N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/nyregion/dna-nypd-database.html.
https://bhscsi.blogspot.com/
The review Charlotte Dotson performed on the article: "N.Y.P.D. to Remove DNA Profiles of Non-Criminals From Database" was very interesting and informative. She discusses how the New York Police Department will start removing 82,000 DNA profiles of people who have never been convicted of a crime. I like how she was straightforward with the information. When she stated how “They do this by collecting DNA from people who are brought in for questioning, including minors”, it was a good way to put the information because it was a bunch of information packed into one sentence. I also appreciate how she was able to captivate the reader by using captivating words at the beginning like crime, and NYPD. She did a good job stating things in her article that could have been improved and fixed in the future.
One thing Charlotte could improve on is explaining how and why she chose the article. She did not provide any reasoning behind her decision to write about it. Charlotte’s analysis was also very short and didn't provide the detail she needed to do the article justice. She could provide a longer analysis that makes the reader feel she has read the full article and knows what it is about. She also did not state the importance of the article. To improve, Charlotte could spend more time talking about the details explained as well as making more connections as to why she chose the article and insert the importance to deepen her analysis.
I chose this article because it was very interesting and I enjoy reading things like this. I also wanted to see Charlotte’s writing style as I have never looked at one of her reviews before. By reading this article I learned about the keeping of DNA of innocent individuals, specifically minors. It will change my perception because now I have another piece of knowledge that I can use.
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