Frenzied Czech DNA sampling

Owing to loopholes in the current legislation the Czech criminal prosecution authorities are taking DNA samples from virtually anyone who is suspected of breaking the law at present. This applies not just in cases of suspected capital crimes, but also petty offences. The conservative daily Lidové noviny finds this state of affairs outrageous: "No one disputes that DNA analysis is an effective tool for criminologists. No one disputes that it is in the interest of any civilised country to put criminals behind bars. ... But if we want to be a civilised country we need civilised rules. And according to the rules, the state is there to help the citizen and not the other way round. In cases of violent crimes, of course DNA samples should be taken. But we can't claim that someone who once committed a property offence automatically has violent tendencies. This brings to mind the childhood saying that goes: He who lies also steals, and pulls off beetles' legs." 

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