By Steve Ranger, 13 February 2006 15:55
NEWS
Conservatives have accused the government of trying to build a national DNA database "by stealth".
The Tories are calling for more debate over the growth of the national DNA database.
Shadow home affairs spokesman, Damian Green, said in a statement: "It is clear that the government is determined to set up a national DNA database by stealth. Guilty and innocent alike will have their records kept on file.
He said: "It is completely unacceptable for this intrusion into our lives to be made without parliament having the chance to debate it - I will be demanding proper parliamentary scrutiny of this dubious policy."
According to government figures, as of 1 December last year there were 124,347 people on the national DNA database who had been arrested and had a DNA sample taken and who had subsequently not been charged or cautioned for any offence.
Of these, 24,168 were under 18 years of age.
But the Home Office said that since 2001 police have been able to retain DNA data in situations where the individual was either cleared or never charged.
It said of the nearly 200,000 records that have been retained in this way, which would have otherwise been destroyed, 7,591 have later been matched to samples from crime scenes.
Comments
There are 11 comments. Join the discussion
1. Dave R
DNA data is not a record of criminality. It is used for investigation purposes only. I cannot see any purpose that this data can be used for other than the linking individuals to a crime scene.
2. Martyn Witt
Typical stupid politicians scoring points in the face of common sense: all those of us who respect the law and who have nothing to fear should be happy to have our DNA on file, to help the police restrict their enquiries to those who have! Perhaps this says something about certain politicians?
3. Karen Challinor
Dave R, what are the false positive and false negative rates and do the investigating officers perform an exhaustive comparison or do they stop when they find the first match
4. anonymous
Imagine 20 years time. Everyone is on the DNA Database. Prime Minister, or other equally important Minister or Business man needs a heart transpant. MI5 checks the DNA database finds an almost perfect match, and all of a sudden that person has a mysterious death! Think it would not happen, just think about the Princess Diana death/murder!!!!
5. anonymous
Why are people so worried about having their D.N.A. on a Data Base.Your Medical,Dental records are on a Data Base.Your Gas,Electricity,Water,Car Tax,Credit cards etc. are all on Data Base,where is the problem?If you have done nothing wrong then why should you worry? Mistakes can be made,ask the person who allegedly was travelling at 120 m.p.h. on a tractor.But D.N.A. ask yourself what is the likely hood of a mistake being made is it 200 billion to one?
6. anonymous
The problem is that, when someone finds out that you are on the DNA database, the likely first response will be that you will be thought of as a criminal.
Think what happens when someone finds you mistakenly listed on a Credit Agency's Bad Debtor record.
7. anonymous
The issue here is not about criminality, but of what use the database is put to. One reader asked what else a DNA database could be used for other than connecting people to a crime scene... how about provision of insurance, provision of government family support based on genetic screening, access to healthcare, etc? How far should rules be allowed to creep? For me, that's the real debate.
8. anonymous
I do not trust politicians. Especially those currently in power at Westminster, Edinburgh or Cardiff.
Based on observatioon of their dubious record so far, I do not think that they could resist the temptation to use any national DNA database in an unethical manners. Lies, spin, erosion of democracy by stealth & numerous other examples of a very dark side.
Trust them, NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!
9. anonymous
I assume that Martyn Witt is going to walk into his nearest Police Station any day soon and volunteer to have his DNA added to the database.
10. Karen Challinor
Anonymous - "...But D.N.A. ask yourself what is the likely hood of a mistake being made is it 200 billion to one?"
No it's a lot less but I'd like to see the official figures rather than a guess
Also why are you posting anonymously if there is nothing to fear from being identified ?
11. anonymous
What is the difference between
A D Smith and
A P Smith
A Simple typo to you and me but for A D Smith it could mean detention under the Anti Terrorisim bill possibly the loss of their home due to bank accounts being blocked etc, etc , etc.
Why ?
Because A P Smith's DNA was found in an Anti-terrorist operation. Whoops, sorry etc
Gas, Electricity, Phone, car tax not a problem.
28 day detention a minor inconvenience ?