S.T.O.P. Report Details Illegality Of NYPD DNA Database

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For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Report Details Illegality Of NYPD DNA Database (New York, NY 6/27/24) – Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, released Genetic Surveillance: The NYPD’s Rogue DNA Database, a report detailing how the NYPD illegally maintains its independent DNA database. The database is populated through continued violations of New York State DNA privacy protections, resulting in a perpetual lineup of tens of thousands of New Yorkers, most of whom were never convicted of a crime but are now potential suspects anytime a DNA test is run. With DNA contamination, laboratory mix-ups, and the use of experimental lab techniques, each scan invites wrongful arrest or conviction. Genetic Surveillance calls for an immediate end to NYPD’s rogue and illegal DNA database. SEE: S.T.O.P. Report - Genetic Surveillance: The NYPD’s Rogue DNA Database https://www.stopspying.org/genetic-surveillance “The NYPD’s DNA database isn’t only unjust—it’s illegal,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Staff Attorney Nina Loshkajian. "Thousands of New Yorkers are having their rights violated every time a DNA test is run. And, with the OCME’s track record of inaccurate and error-prone testing, those same New Yorkers are perpetually at risk of false arrest or wrongful conviction. This type of genetic surveillance, including conducting stop-and-spit campaigns and DNA dragnets in BIPOC communities, is dangerous and needs to be stopped all together." SEE: ABC News - NYPD accused of illegally obtaining, storing the DNA samples of nearly 32,000 people https://abcnews.go.com/US/nypd-accused-illegally-obtaining-storing-dna-samples-32000/story?id=83598107#:~:text=A%20federal%20lawsuit%20claims%20the,in%20a%20% The Daily Beast - Cops Might Already Have Your DNA, Without Your Consent https://www.thedailybeast.com/cops-might-already-have-your-dna-without-your-consent Key Findings Include: NYPD deliberately collects DNA without people’s knowledge, in violation of New York State genetic privacy laws; The same DNA collection tactics are deployed on children, ignoring protections provided within the juvenile justice system; NYPD conducts door-to-door DNA dragnets when they run out of leads on a case by pressuring hundreds of New Yorkers to submit DNA samples; With people shedding DNA all the time, NYPD’s habit of ignoring context when testing crime scene DNA under a microscope can lead to wrongful arrest; The NYPD’s union refuses to require officers to provide their own DNA for testing against collected samples, despite being standard practice in conducting proper testing; OCME, the lab that does NYPD’s DNA testing, ignores several benchmarks for accurate testing and frequently commits reckless errors. In 2020, S.T.O.P.'s Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn testified on NYPD DNA collection and storage before the Committee on Public Safety in the New York City Council. SEE -  Public Testimony of Albert Fox Cahn on DNA Collection and Storage in NYC https://www.stopspying.org/testimony-1/2021/3/8/public-testimony-of-albert-fox-cahn-on-dna-collection-and-storage-in-nyc The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. --END-- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved.