DNA Legacy; Stillwater first in county to I.D. Pupils through genetic imprint

DNA legacy; Stillwater first in county to identify pupils through genetic imprint

STILLWATER — Parents of Stillwater Township School pupils may want to clear some space in the closet for an unusual storage item — their child’s DNA.

Stillwater police began collecting DNA samples from the 440 pupils at the K-6 school on Tuesday as part of a new initiative to bring child identification in Sussex County into the 21st century.

Police said the DNA Legacy Kit would be a vast improvement over the outmoded fingerprinting system that is predominately used across the county.

Stillwater police Sgt. John Schetting said DNA is more efficient and accurate than fingerprints in identifying people because fingerprints can sometimes be illegible and are only an effective means of identification 40 percent of the time. DNA is nearly 100 percent effective.

“In an unfortunate circumstance where a child is found and the fingerprints are not able to be identified ... then this way we have the DNA sample, and the family is able to have closure,” Schetting said. He said having a ready sample of a person’s DNA would also lead to quicker and more accurate identification of bodies at disaster sites like the World Trade Center.

In the months following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, family members were asked to submit hair and toothbrushes to authorities to take DNA samples long after some body parts had been recovered.

Pupils were brought into the school’s cafeteria one class at a time to have their DNA collected by Patrolman Tom Tosti, who took two swabs of each pupil’s mouth. There were few complaints from the pupils who seemed eager for their turn to be swabbed.

“It wasn’t bad,” said one first-grader. Some kids actually like it, Schetting said. “It tickles so a lot of kids start laughing,” he said. Once the sample is taken, it is placed in a vial and sealed in a red envelope. Schetting said the samples, which will last for about 80 years, will be held by the school until given to parents for storage.

“We will hold on to them until the parents come pick them up,” said Superintendent Bill Shelton. Schetting said the samples will not be sent to Washington or anywhere else to become part of a larger database.

“All we’re doing is taking the samples,” Schetting said. “There shouldn’t be any fear that Big Brother is watching.”

Stillwater police first found out about the DNA Legacy Kits after reading a newspaper story about a similar program in Jefferson. Police then began soliciting local businesses for help in funding the kits, which cost about $4 each.

The kits were created by Davie, Fla.-based DNA LifePrint, Inc. to provide more accurate means of identifying people. The DNA Legacy Kits are endorsed by John Walsh, host of “America’s Most Wanted,” whose son, Adam, was kidnapped and later found dead in the early 1980s.

Schetting said there is some degree of pride in becoming the first police force in Sussex County to use the DNA Legacy Kits. He said he hopes it leads other departments to follow suit.

“We’re hoping we open the door for the rest of the departments in the county,” Schetting said. “It’s an opportunity for them to provide a great service for the communities they serve.”

For the Security of the Homeland, coming soon for everyone. We must make this mandantory for all patriotic citizens.

I guess the next incremental step is for the police to require DNA swabs at every traffic stop, kind of like they did in the movie "Gattaca".

I don't believe for a minute that these records won't be held in some type of fed.gov database eventually.

I don't believe for a minute that these records won't be held in some type of fed.gov database eventually.

You and me both. If parents want to put together an Id kit on their own children and keep it that is one thing. This is quite another.

The school will claim that their intentions are pure. I am sure they are. They always have the best of intentions. I always hate to remind them where the road paved with good intentions leads to.

a.cricket

Despite the "don't worry" stuff, I don't like it. If you want a DNA sample from your child, cut off some hair and put it in an envelope. If something awful happens, *then* you can take the envelope in to the lab.

If you want a DNA sample from your child, cut off some hair and put it in an envelope. If something awful happens, *then* you can take the envelope in to the lab.

I have no problem with that kind of voluntary system.

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