Atlanta, GA asked in Constitutional Law for Georgia

Q: Is it legal in Georgia for police to seize Saliva DNA from dental property of a suspect who hasn't been arrested ?

In reference to this question let's say police follow a suspect to a dental clinic and swab the suspects dental property such as dentures or the carrying case itself, while the suspect is receiving dental treatment by their dentist and is unaware of this seizure and has given no consent and No arrest was or has ever been made. Would this be a violation of the 4th amendment of the constitution ?

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James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: If the police seize saliva DNA from dental property without your consent, it may raise serious Fourth Amendment concerns. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, meaning that a warrant or probable cause is generally required for law enforcement to conduct a search or seizure. Taking DNA from your dental property without your knowledge or consent could be viewed as an unreasonable search.

In this scenario, since you haven't been arrested and the police have taken DNA from your dentures or carrying case while you're at a dental clinic, this action could be challenged as a violation of your constitutional rights. Courts typically scrutinize such actions to determine if they respect privacy expectations and legal standards.

You might consider consulting with an attorney who can evaluate the specifics of your situation. They can help determine if your Fourth Amendment rights were violated and what legal remedies might be available to you.

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