Court will decide on collection of DNA samples

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court says it will decide whether police may collect DNA samples from people under arrest in a case that pits privacy concerns against public safety interests.

The justices say in an order Friday that they will review a Maryland court decision that effectively barred the collection of genetic material from criminal suspects without a warrant. Maryland appealed the ruling in favor of defendant Alonzo King Jr.

King was convicted of a 2003 rape based on DNA evidence taken after his arrest on assault charges in 2009. The sample matched DNA collected from the victim in the 2003 attack.

Chief Justice John Roberts previously blocked the ruling and allowed police to keep collecting DNA samples pending the high court's review.