Thailand's CIFS teams up with FBI on criminal database

Piyanuch Thammukasetchai,

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation have teamed up to share their databases of criminals' and inmates' DNA, which would be useful in crime suppression. It would help identify repeat offenders, track human-trafficking rackets and minimise the chance of wrongful prosecution and conviction.

The operation will - upon consent of convicts and inmates - store their personal and DNA details, with nearly 100,000 records in hand and data on another 100,000 inmates through coordination with the Corrections Department, said CIFS director Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunand after the recent signing of an MoU between the institute and the FBI.

DNA records

The CIFS-FBI database will link with the Royal Thai Police's criminal database and its DNA records. Justice Ministry permanent secretary Kittiphong Kittayarak said the DNA profiles of 100,000 inmates could be collected in three years' time, and that Thailand would be the 41st country that would share the FBI's database using US-designed CODIS DNA software.

Pornthip said the CIFS's proven lab work had contributed to the FBI's decision to launch such collaboration. It would also be used in security operations in the deep South by identifying wrongdoers, whether they were violators of general laws or insurgents committing terrorism.

The CIFS has full authority in DNA identification work and any government wanting DNA verification is required to send in their samples.

According to the FBI's website, CODIS is the acronym for "Combined DNA Index System" and is the generic term used to describe the FBI's programme of support for criminal justice DNA databases as well as the software used to run these databases.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 27

The operation will - upon consent of convicts and inmates - store their personal and DNA details

I would expect convicts and inmates to be fully compliant and freely give their consent to having their DNA stored and potentially be used against them in any future criminal act as they are at the forefront in trying to curtail crime and the apprehension of those responsible.

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Looks like he is reading the small print on his contract

The operation will - upon consent of convicts and inmates - store their personal and DNA details

I would expect convicts and inmates to be fully compliant and freely give their consent to having their DNA stored and potentially be used against them in any future criminal act as they are at the forefront in trying to curtail crime and the apprehension of those responsible.

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I was thinking the same thing, No way would they do this voluntarily. But, as this is Thailand, perhaps if you remove the word "freely" your statement will still be accurate.

Seems the law isn't quite in sync on this one.

Voluntary submission of dna. Lol

I can see the reports next year. Dna database contains one person.

There are many ways to collect DNA. But any 'rights' prisoners think they have in Thailand simply don't exist. And rightfully so in my opinion. Do the crime do the time and unlike western prisons, there are no three 'squares' a day, TV and free dental. If the FBI and the CIFS want to swap notes and files, who cares?

Simply more utter crap. How will it "help solve the problem in the Restive South", or have our forensic experts managed to determine a gene prevalant only in terroists and not in common criminals.

There are many ways to collect DNA. But any 'rights' prisoners think they have in Thailand simply don't exist. And rightfully so in my opinion. Do the crime do the time and unlike western prisons, there are no three 'squares' a day, TV and free dental. If the FBI and the CIFS want to swap notes and files, who cares?

HMMM - This is exactly how the Nazis took over in Germany, one small step at a time. Sharing such information violates the laws of many countries, including the USA. In the US, a court order is required to obtain DNA without permission. For S expats in Thailand, this agreement has nullified a segment of the US law.

Big Brother is here with us today, don't you forget that!

The operation will - upon consent of convicts and inmates - store their personal and DNA details

I would expect convicts and inmates to be fully compliant and freely give their consent to having their DNA stored and potentially be used against them in any future criminal act as they are at the forefront in trying to curtail crime and the apprehension of those responsible.

.

I was thinking the same thing, No way would they do this voluntarily. But, as this is Thailand, perhaps if you remove the word "freely" your statement will still be accurate.

BINGO

Truth be known it has great possibilities.

But Thailand would have to upgrade their forensic's.

They will also have to train their entire police force in how to obtain them and the legality of the process to obtain them.