The US Supreme Court today decided Maryland v. King, which asked the justices to determine whether the Fourth Amendment allows police to take and analyze DNA samples from suspects arrested and charged with serious crimes. In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled that taking a cheek swab of DNA is a reasonable police action under the Constitution. Read The Washingtonian’s May 2013 feature on the case and brutal rape in Salisbury, Maryland, that led to the Supreme Court taking up the issue.
Marisa M. Kashino joined Washingtonian in 2009 as a staff writer, and became a senior editor in 2014. She was previously a reporter for Legal Times and the National Law Journal. She lives in Northeast DC with her husband, two dogs, and two cats.
Supreme Court Rules on Constitutionality of DNA Swabs
The US Supreme Court today decided Maryland v. King, which asked the justices to determine whether the Fourth Amendment allows police to take and analyze DNA samples from suspects arrested and charged with serious crimes. In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled that taking a cheek swab of DNA is a reasonable police action under the Constitution. Read The Washingtonian’s May 2013 feature on the case and brutal rape in Salisbury, Maryland, that led to the Supreme Court taking up the issue.
Marisa M. Kashino joined Washingtonian in 2009 as a staff writer, and became a senior editor in 2014. She was previously a reporter for Legal Times and the National Law Journal. She lives in Northeast DC with her husband, two dogs, and two cats.
Editors' Picks
The Inside Story of Mike Isabella’s Fallen Empire
Is the Blogger “Mr. Cranky” Out to Save DC’s Tech Industry—Or Destroy It?
A Heartwrenching Story About Why Teachers Are Leaving DC in Droves
Private School Confidential: 25 Things Washington Parents Need to Know
Most Popular in News
Grasping for Metaphor, Reporters Flock to Burning DC Garbage Can
PHOTOS: The 2018 Vice President’s Residence Christmas Decorations
PHOTOS: The 2018 White House Christmas Decorations
Whole Foods Is Trying to Change a DC Neighborhood’s Name
Forged Under Fire—Bob Mueller and Jim Comey’s Unusual Friendship
December 2018: The Unmaking of Mike Isabella
Related
Hate Crimes Are Up 62 Percent in DC
This DC Author Wrote a Popular Prison Novel. His Own Story Has Some Big Twists.
Brightest Young Things Announces Headliners for its Upcoming True-Crime Festival “Death Becomes Us”
PHOTOS: The Scene at Paul Manafort’s Trial
More from News
Is the Blogger “Mr. Cranky” Out to Save DC’s Tech Industry—Or Destroy It?
PHOTOS: The 2018 Vice President’s Residence Christmas Decorations
Do You Work for One of Washington’s Most Charitable Companies?
Washingtonian Today: Sail into the Weekend on the Friendship
What to Do If You Find Yourself in a Cheesecake Factory Riot
Why Is Sean Spicer Tweeting About Lyft?
Washingtonian Today: Arlington Rebuilds After Cheesecake Chaos
Belletrist Book Club Names Kramerbooks Its Bookstore of the Month