Opinion ID: 2622136
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Historical protection afforded to saliva and DNA

Text: ś 100 There is no question that the privacy interest in the body and bodily functions has historically been afforded protection under article I, section 7 in a variety of contexts and is one that citizens should be entitled to hold. State v. Meacham, 93 Wash.2d 735, 738, 612 P.2d 795 (1980) (compelled testing of DNA to determine paternity); Robinson, 102 Wash.App. at 822, 10 P.3d 452 (compelled blood testing as a requirement for government employment). We recognize privacy interests in the body and bodily functions even when some circumstance arises that consequently diminishes those interests. State v. Farmer, 116 Wash.2d 414, 429, 805 P.2d 200, 812 P.2d 858 (1991) (recognizing a privacy interest in opposing blood tests under the less protective Fourth Amendment but holding that the interest diminishes when a person is convicted of a crime). ś 101 The majority's conclusion that Athan has no privacy interest in his saliva, and its complete indifference to his privacy interest in his DNA, are indefensible in light of this court's long history acknowledging privacy interests in the body and bodily functions. See majority at 33. Further, Athan's interests were undiminished at the time the detectives obtained his saliva and DNA because he had not been convicted of a crime. ś 102 Because we recognize privacy interests in the body and bodily functions and because Athan's privacy interests in his saliva and DNA were undiminished because he had not been convicted of a crime, I would conclude that the detectives invaded Athan's privacy interests in his saliva and DNA.