Presumption of inno - what's that you say?

Well, you know what they say: If you're not guilty you have nothing to hide. Not even your privacy. From the New York Times:

Truro, Mass., Jan. 7 - In an unusual last-ditch move to find clues to the three-year-old killing of a freelance fashion writer, police investigators are trying to get DNA samples from every man in this Cape Cod hamlet, all 790 or so, or as many as will agree.

Raising concerns among civil libertarians and prompting both resistance and support from men in Truro, the state and local police began collecting the genetic samples last week, visiting delicatessens, the post office and even the town dump to politely ask men to cooperate.

Well, what's wrong with that, you say? Let's start with the fact that many people do not feel free to refuse such a request from the police, so the notion that this is completely voluntary is hogwash. Then add the fact that these kinds of sweeps are inefficient and rarely effective. In fact, the writer of the Times article had to go to a German case from six years ago involving DNA samples from 16,000 men to describe a success. None of the three cases cited from the US was described as having resulted in an arrest. Mix in the fact that those who submit to having a DNA sample taken are also expected to provide their name, birthdate, race, and signature - and the police are taking the license plate number of everyone they approach. And top it off with the realization that while the police say they won't keep the information they collect, there is nothing to keep them from doing so.

Yeah, but what's really wrong? Try this:

Sgt. David Perry of the Truro Police Department and other law enforcement authorities here say that the program is voluntary but that they will pay close attention to those who refuse to provide DNA.

"We're trying to find that person who has something to hide," Sergeant Perry said.

That is, exercising your rights makes you a suspect. That is dangerous territory indeed.

But don't worry. As John Mitchell said, "If you're not guilty, you're not a suspect."