The state of DNA policy, and where we go from here

The latest episode of Field Notes features Ashley Spence from the DNA Justice Project. She talks with Kevin Ring about law enforcement policy related to DNA.

Ashley is amazing, and I’ve written about her organization before. Her interview encapsulates the type of advocacy work my (former) team at Arnold Ventures has been doing and the momentum we've seen on the ground. I'm excited to continue this work going forward.

There are many parallels between DNA policy and policy on other law enforcement tech (including cameras, which have been in the news a lot lately). All require nuanced conversations about efficacy, privacy, and the (sometimes tedious) legislative changes necessary to make the best use of the technology we have.

Ashley describes how education about this stuff makes a difference — this was also my experience. Many stakeholders — including lawmakers — simply don’t know how these tools work, or where to find experts who can help them. That’s easy to change with more boots on the ground. My goal is not to force communities to choose one path or another, but to make sure they have the information they need to make the best decisions for their circumstances. (I am an economist after all — my mantra is "you tell me your objective function, and I'll help you maximize it." 🤓)

Check out the episode (YouTube link below; it’s also available wherever you listen to podcasts). And follow Ashley for more on DNA! She’s especially active on Instagram.