A series of
proposals designed to ensure the right people are on the National
DNA Database, as well as defining when people should come off was
announced by Home Secretary Alan Johnson today.
DNA and the use of forensics play an essential role in fighting
crime and providing justice for victims. The UK has been
recognised as the world leader in developing the use of the
national DNA database and catching criminals through reviews of
cold cases.
Between April 1998 and September 2009 there were more than
410,589 crimes with DNA matches, providing the police with a lead
on the possible identity of the offender.
Following a public consultation which received more than 500
responses, the Government has listened to the range of comments
and proposes to:
* remove profiles of all adults
arrested but not charged or convicted of any recordable offence
after six years;
* remove profiles of 16 and 17 year old juveniles arrested but
not charged or convicted of serious offences after six years;
* remove profiles of all other juveniles arrested but not charged
or convicted of a recordable offence after three years, regardless
of age at arrest; and
* retain DNA profiles of all juveniles convicted of all but the
most serious recordable offences for five years, and indefinitely
for any further convictions.
In addition, the proposals include plans to destroy all DNA
samples, such as blood, urine or mouth swabs used to create the
DNA profile that is added to the database. The Government also
plans to give police new powers to take DNA samples from anyone
convicted abroad, or convicted before the creation of the DNA
database in 1995.
The Government intends to continue retaining the DNA profiles of
all adults convicted of a recordable offence indefinitely, as well
as the profiles of all juveniles convicted of the most serious
offences, such as murder, rape, manslaughter and serious assault.
Under the proposals, fingerprints will be retained for the same
time periods as DNA profiles.
Home Secretary Alan
Johnson said:
"It is crucial that we do
everything we can to protect the public by preventing crime and
bringing offenders to justice. The DNA database plays a vital role
in helping us do that, providing thousands of crime scene matches
every year and helping to put many criminals behind bars where
they belong.
"It is vital that we maintain the
capacity of the DNA database to provide as many detections as
possible by making sure the right people are on it. But we must
balance this with the consideration of when other people should
come off.
"I believe the proposals I am
announcing today represent the most proportionate approach to DNA
retention, as well as the most effective way of ensuring the
database continues to help us tackle crime."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The proposals follow a public
consultation - 'Keeping the Right People on the
Database' - conducted over the summer. A summary of
responses can be viewed at www.homeoffice.gov.uk
2. The Government has also published further research
conducted as part of the development of these proposals. The full
documents and a summary can be viewed at www.homeoffice.gov.uk
3. The number of crimes with a DNA scene to subject match between
April 1998 and March 2009 was 410,589.
220/2009
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk