SIN?

SIN is shadowrun's equivelant to a social security number. A social id number (or whatever it stands for) it seperates the people born in hospitals from the people who weren't (and were never "officialized" to the government).

People were able to choose when they created the runner whether he has a SIN or not. (No SIN should probably be a flaw). There are advantages and disadvantages each way.

Advantages to no SIN
- You don't have fingerprints, DNA, blood type, or photos on file with the police, making it harder to track you down.
- You don't have a social security number, so the IRS won't come looking for you at tax time to explain your shadowrunning income.

Disadvantage to no SIN
- You can't hold a decent job, since you have no way to prove eligibility to work
- If arrested, you have limited rights, as an illegal immigrant.
- It may be hard to get medical treatment at a hospital
- It may be difficult to get a medium or higher lifestyle- how can you rent a house or buy a mansion with no identity?
- No bank account either- hope you're fine with cash!
- Terrorist. When the police do start to trace you, by evidence left at crime scenes, they're not looking for a citizen, they're looking for a foreign terrorist. Depending on where you are, this may not afford you certain legal protections. (Hopefully the UCAS has no patriot act!)
- You can get pulled over for a minor thing and put in major trouble
- Anyone who doesn't like you can report you and get you arrested or deported.