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from the should-not-leave-your-DNA-lying-around-where-others-can-find-it dept.
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/06/02/us/golden-state-killer-unsealed-warrants/index.html
When the suspected Golden State Killer drove into a Hobby Lobby parking lot in April, investigators were waiting nearby. As he walked into the craft store, it gave them a perfect chance to collect a secret DNA sample.
Police swabbed the driver's side handle of [the suspect's] car, according to arrest and search warrants released Friday.
Authorities sent it for testing and matched it to semen recovered at some of the Golden State Killer's crime scenes, the arrest warrant said.
[...] The stop at the Hobby Lobby was just one of several ways investigators used to zero in on a suspect. Earlier this year, police tracked him down by comparing genetic profiles from genealogy websites to crime scene DNA, according to investigators.
On April 23, a day before his arrest, police say they collected multiple samples from a trash can outside DeAngelo's home in Citrus Heights, a town 16 miles northeast of Sacramento. They had watched the home for three days, the warrant said.
Previously: DNA From Genealogy Site Led to Capture of Golden State Killer Suspect
GEDmatch: "What If It Was Called Police Genealogy?"
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 04 2018, @06:13PM (4 children)
I'll take the flamebait. You only have to get a warrant to obtain something that is protected by law. The exterior of your car is not protected from being swabbed. Your trash is not protected when placed on the street. The stores are not having their property rights violated. The property is private but the space is public. The officers were not loitering. If you don't want the exterior of your car being swabbed then don't leave your house with it.
You need to grow up. The world is a far different place than you wish it could be. No rational person would even remotely consider honoring your warped view of the world.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by donkeyhotay on Monday June 04 2018, @06:55PM
I agree. I know that there are numerous examples of cops overstepping their boundaries, and committing crimes without recrimination recently, but this is not one of those cases. This is a case where the cops actually did some really good and thorough police work in order to catch someone WHO HAS ACTUALLY COMMITTED NUMEROUS CRIMES and who has alluded apprehension for decades. And now this guy will be given a trial in which evidence will be presented, defense will be made, and his guilt or innocence will be confirmed by a jury of his peers. This is how it's supposed to work.
(Score: 2) by Osamabobama on Monday June 04 2018, @07:19PM (1 child)
My trash is protected when placed on the street in San Diego.
Of course, it's probably not protected from the police, as they work for the city. There may be a minor bureaucratic hurdle to clear, but probably not a warrant.
Appended to the end of comments you post. Max: 120 chars.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 04 2018, @11:27PM
Maybe it isn't: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_v._Greenwood [wikipedia.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 05 2018, @07:07PM
"You only have to get a warrant to obtain something that is protected by law."
that's different. i'm not arguing that they shouldn't be able to get a warrant. if they have just cause to search then let them put it in writing. why is that so much to ask? because they are criminals, obviously.
"The exterior of your car is not protected from being swabbed."
obviously. i'm saying it should be. it's private property temporarily stored in a private company's parking lot for the express purpose of shopping there.
"Your trash is not protected when placed on the street."
are you suggesting just because i park my car in a store's parking lot i relinquish ownership like i do with trash?
"If you don't want the exterior of your car being swabbed then don't leave your house with it."
so i guess they can search your anal cavity without a warrant too, according to your sycophantic world view. a dna swab of non discarded items is a search. period. warrant required.