Personal Does Not Always Equal Private : The Constitutionality of Requiring DNA Samples from Convicted Felons and Arrestees

In the past couple of decades, the use of DNA testing has become a major debate in criminal law. Many Americans have called for regular use of DNA testing in criminal cases, particularly in the aftermath of the O.J. Simpson murder trial. While these tests can potentially help better ensure justice conducting DNA tests raises fundamental personal privacy concerns. This Note analyzes the development of DNA testing throughout the United States, giving a historical account of how the courts and local police departments have dealt with this testing Finally, the Note argues that the government\u27s interest in mandatory testing of all those arrested outweighs individuals\u27 privacy interests, therefore making DNA \u27fingerprints a substitute for traditional fingerprints