nanandjim
Former Member
I think that they can "grab" any item that has been disposed of in a public place. At least, that's what I have seen on CTV.It still requires a warrant establishing probable cause. In this case it would most likely be easy for investigators to get the warrant if they have something to show the judge, but they are not able to go around grabbing DNA even from trash unless it is established by a judge that there is a reason for it.
Here is a link that discusses "abandoned DNA." I think that it begins on page 7.
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/lawreview/v100/n2/857/LR100n2Joh.pdf