BY SEAN MARTIN-IVERSON
PERTH — The Western Australian Labor government has passed legislation that will allow WA police to conduct compulsory DNA tests.
By November 1, WA police will routinely obtain DNA samples from a wide range of suspects, and not just those charged with a serious offences. The samples will be collected with "buccal swabs" — the taking of cells from a "suspect's" mouth. No warrant will be required to test adults.
For children over 10, obtaining DNA samples will require a warrant from a magistrate. Assistant police commissioner Tim Atherton has said that DNA testing will be "a matter of course" for children over 14, but children under 14 will only be tested in the case of an "exceptional crime".
DNA samples collected by the police will not necessarily be destroyed, unless the person is "proved innocent" and specifically requests it. As police departments around the country adopt similar practices, the prospect of a national police DNA database is increasingly being raised.
Co-convenor of the Socialist Alliance in WA, Nikki Ulasowski, told Green Left Weekly that DNA testing it is "a clear violation of civil liberties and another dangerous step down the path of increased police powers".
"Following on from WA's prostitution act and the 'anti-bikie gang' legislation, this is one more blow to the presumption of innocence. Given the history of police corruption and violence in WA, it is certain that the DNA data, and the process of DNA collection itself, will be misused.
"The ALP is striving to surpass the draconian law and order policies of the previous Coalition state government", Ulasowski said.
From Green Left Weekly, June 26, 2002.
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