UK's DNA database 'should include all'
Pastor Dale Morgan
UK's DNA database 'should include all'*
By George Jones, Political Editor
Last Updated: 2:52am BST 24/10/2006
Audio: Philip Johnston on the DNA database
Tony Blair called yesterday for the national DNA database to be expanded
to include every citizen.
He said there should be no limit on the development of the database
because it was vital for catching serious criminals.
Tony Blair
Tony Blair claimed during a trip to the Forensic Science Service in
London that extended use of DNA had public backing
The Conservatives accused him of attempting to expand the DNA database
by stealth and called for Parliament to vote on whether details of
people who were innocent or not charged should be included against their
wishes.
The Prime Minister said the public backed the extended use of DNA and
urged police forces across the country to make use of technological
advances to reopen thousands of unresolved "cold cases".
During a tour of the Forensic Science Service headquarters in London, he
dismissed concerns of opposition politicians, saying the public backed
the database because it was "helping us track down murderers, rapists".
The national DNA database has expanded by about a third to 3.6 million
profiles since the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which allowed police to
take and keep DNA samples from everyone arrested for any imprisonable
offence - regardless of whether they were eventually convicted.
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Mr Blair voluntarily gave a DNA sample in 1999 when he announced plans
to build up the database.
Asked whether there should be any restrictions on the number of people
included, Mr Blair said: "The number on the database should be the
maximum number you can get."
Mr Blair said he did not believe there was "any problem" with the public
providing samples because if they had committed a serious offence they
"should be convicted". The database sent a "strong signal" to the
criminal community that they could be identified and caught from even
the smallest trace at a crime scene.
Downing Street said later that no thought had been given at this stage
to requiring everyone to give a DNA sample, although they will have to
give scans of their eye and fingerprints for a passport and eventually a
national identity card. At this stage, the Prime Minister believed it
was a "personal matter" whether people, including other Government
ministers, should volunteer their DNA.
Mr Blair visited the laboratories to highlight success in solving about
100 harrowing cases, including rapes and murders dating back as far as
20 years. Advances in the technology mean that old samples from scenes
can be re-analysed and matched against profiles on the database in "cold
case" reviews.
This enables the reopening of cases not because of new evidence, but due
to new forensic techniques. The project has so far resulted in 21
convictions, with several other suspects arrested and awaiting trial.
Government sources say the majority of the active criminal population
now have their DNA recorded. Police receive more than 3,500 DNA matches
a month, double the figure in 1998/99.
The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 permitted police to retain DNA
samples from everyone who was charged. Previously they had to destroy
samples and fingerprints from anyone who was found not guilty or had
their charge dropped.
The Criminal Justice Act 2003 gave police the power to take and keep a
DNA sample.
The use of the new powers has proved controversial. Earlier this month,
The Daily Telegraph reported that a grandmother who was arrested after a
dispute with a neighbour was required to give a DNA sample. The case was
later dropped for lack of evidence but her DNA will remain on the database.
The UK has the largest database in the world and is drawing attention
from countries throughout Europe keen to learn from its experience.
Damian Green, the Conservative's home affairs spokesman, accused Mr
Blair of making "policy on the hoof" without thinking through the
implications.
The DNA database could be a vital tool in the fight against crime but
the terms of its use must be properly laid down and approved by Parliament.
"There is no provision to deal with people who have a DNA sample taken,
are innocent of any crime but still remain on the database," said Mr Green.