Mugger Beat Ex-Soldier, 79.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2328187/Richard-Christie-beat-ex-soldier-Bill-Hopkins-badly-died-stealing-wallet-containing-just-40-card-wifes-memorial-service.html

Obviously this cretin must have had a police record for them to have his DNA on file, it is through this that the police were able to trace him and bring this piece of pond life to justice.

With this in mind the question that must be asked is "should everyone's DNA be on file"?

[ummmm]

Does it make it worse that he was an ex-soldier? Would it have not been as bad if it was any other 79 year old?

And No to the DNA.

[bazwillrun]

No
i'm more worried that this piece of filth could be back on the streets in under 4 years

[Octavius]

I'm a little bit split on this, on the one hand it would probably serve to even the balance - ethnic minorities over-represented - two-in-five black men have their DNA on record, as against fewer than one-in-ten whites.

On the other hand, I would be very wary of the misuse of such data for the price of a bung in a brown envelope.

Still, excellent forensic work by the police in this case though.

[whiskeryron]

no to DNA. Now baseball bat I would say yes to.

WR.

[FredPuli43]

I think so; isn't realistic to have everyone's DNA taken, but I never understood the logic of not keeping the DNA of everyone arrested, whether or not they are charged. And there's no reason why every newborn child should not have its DNA kept on record.

What interference with the liberty of the subject would it be?

[Sqad]

I agree with Fred, particularly:
\\\ And there's no reason why every newborn child should not have its DNA kept on record.\\

I cannot see an argument against it.........wait a minute......oh yes i can...bloody civil liberties.

[Gromit]

No they should not.

That is like saying eveyone should have their photograph taken because it would help to catch shoplifters.

The police had his DNA because he was a criminal. The present system seems to work. Break the law and fingerprints, DNA and a photograph are kept. Do not break the law, and you do not have to submit uour details.

[jake-the-peg]

I'd bet you'd soon think of a reason against it Sqad if they brought it in in Spain and you were dragged in for questioning because your DNA was found in a cab in which someone was subsequently murdered

I bet we'd never hear the end of *your* civil liberties then!

[Sqad]

Jake the Peg.......you mean if i could help in bringing a murderer to justice?

I wouldn't mind at all..........unless of course i WAS that murderer.

[jake-the-peg]

No I mean if you were a suspect because your DNA just happened to be found in a particular location.

I'm sure you trust the competance of the Spanish police not to jump to conclusions.

Don't you?

[Svejk]

Unless sqad was the murderer I'd imagine he'd be happy to help.

[Sqad]

JTP.....as much as ANY Police force.

Wait....sorry....the British Police Force is the "envy of the World"....no that's not right, i am thinking of something else.

[Svejk]

Surely you'd be happy to help catch a killer, jake?

[jake-the-peg]

Help!

Yes because as soon as the police find your DNA at a crime scene and pull you in they'll instantly recognise you as a proper upright citizen and not a criminal and will treat you with all the curtosy and respect due.

They wouldn't dream of putting you in a cell for 6 or 8 hours until they're ready to talk to you and treat you as a suspect.

Your niavity is somewhat touching

[FredPuli43]

No doubt Sqad, here, would be asked in for questioning primarily as a witness. He could only be arrested if there were reasonable grounds for suspecting that he was the murderer.There is the DNA of dozens, perhaps hundreds, of people in a taxi; the presence of DNA might not make 'reasonable suspicion'. But anyone whose DNA at the scene of a crime does create a reasonable suspicion is in no different position from a person whose description fits someone seen there. What's the difference that you see?

[jake-the-peg]

You really don't get this at all do you?

You have a touching faith in the competance of police forces and their ability to recognise 'proper' people and that their use of DNA would be appropriate.

You'd probably even be happy for them to have permanent taps on everybody's phones .

In fact I rather think you'd like to turn the clock back to when Franco was in charge over there - Now there was a man who knew how to deal with the wrong sort eh?

[ I am somewhat surprised we haven't had some idiot chip in with 'nothing to hide, nothing to fear' yet]

[Sqad]

JTP

\\\\[ I am somewhat surprised we haven't had some idiot chip in with 'nothing to hide, nothing to fear' yet] \\

Idiot?...no you are the only one that fits that description so far.

[FredPuli43]

(And I think it was Sqad, with the iron bar,in the library)

[Sqad]

Fred....LOL