U.S. Set to Begin a Vast Expansion of DNA Sampling – New York Times

While I agree that there is a need to track criminals, especially in violent or sexual crimes, this seems to be very over-reaching. The government can now take DNA from essentially any person it wishes and lock it away in their databases.

I know this sounds Orwellian, but is mandatory sampling at traffic stops very far off? Also, who is to say that there won’t be trumped-up charges brought so that the FBI or whomever can obtain a sample of your DNA? Then you are faced with a long battle through the courts to get your information removed when the matter is resolved properly.

Again, I agree that the idea is great. What I question is whether the law could have been written to be more concise and narrow the scope under which it operates.

UPDATE: Here is another article on the same program. This one seems to be a little more involved and technical.