Innocent – but still on DNA database

Sep 22 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

ALMOST one in 10 people on Merseyside has their genetic profile stored on the national DNA database, according to information released to the Daily Post under the Freedom of Information Act.

The figures show that there are more than 200,000 profiles of people in Merseyside and Cheshire – many of whom have never been convicted of any crime – on the controversial database.

It has also been disclosed that the DNA profiles of more than 6,000 youngsters from across Merseyside and Cheshire are on the Home Office’s database.

Last night, Merseyside Police said the database was a "key intelligence and evidential tool that has revolutionised the way the police work" and pledged to continue using it.

But Helen Wallace, director of Genewatch, a research group which acts as a national watchdog on use of genetic material, condemned the figures as "shocking".

Dr Wallace said that, although her organisation does not oppose the existence of the database, there had been insufficient public debate about its use or extent.

She added: "We think it’s shocking the database has expanded so rapidly without public involvement in the decision-making about whose DNA should keep taken and kept.

"But it’s not surprising, given that one in four adult men are likely to be arrested during their lifetime. If they get arrested, their DNA would be kept on what was a criminal database, even if they are never charged or convicted of a crime."

According to the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), which responded to our Freedom of Information request, as of August, 2008, there were 135,591 subject sample profiles held on the National DNA Database (NDNAD) which had been submitted by Merseyside Police.

The latest Census estimated the Merseyside population at around 1,362,026 people.

The Cheshire Constabulary, which includes the Halton and Warrington areas, polices a population of just under 1m, and had submitted 82,838 profiles to the database – around 8% of the population.

The NPIA said: "These subjects are not necessarily resident in the Merseyside or Cheshire areas, but were arrested or detained and had a DNA sample taken by these police forces or volunteered a sample to these police forces."

According to the Home Office website, the UK’s DNA database is the largest of any country.

It says 5.2% of the UK population is on the database, compared with 0.5% in the USA.

The NPIA said the database "holds very little information about a subject’s identity – only their name, date of birth, sex and ethnic appearance".

Information held on the NDNAD also includes the name of the police force which submitted the DNA sample.

The information provided by the NPIA relates to samples submitted by Merseyside Police and Cheshire Constabulary.

The database has expanded significantly in recent years and, by the end of 2005, more than 3.4m DNA profiles were held on the database. This includes the profiles of the majority of the known "active offender population".

According to the Home Office, maintaining and developing the database is one of the Government’s top priorities, with government and police investment of more than £300m in recent years. But it added: "There are no plans to introduce a universal compulsory, or voluntary, DNA database."

The Home Office says the database is used to quickly identify offenders, make earlier arrests, secure more convictions and provide critical investigative leads for police.

The DNA samples obtained for analysis from the collection of DNA at crime scenes and from samples taken from individuals in police custody can be held in the National DNA database.

A sample is usually taken by brushing the inside of the mouth with a specially shaped cotton swab, although hair samples may be taken as an alternative.

Assistant Chief Constable Colin Matthews said: "Merseyside Police has ensured for several years that, when people come into custody, DNA samples are taken in line with legislation.

"We know that, if we have the opportunity to take a sample, it might be the one that traps a murderer – if we don't, that might mean that an offender escapes detection.

“The protection of the public comes first for us at all times. The DNA database is a key intelligence and evidential tool that has revolutionised the way the police work to protect the public, dramatically changing the way offenders are identified and convictions secured.

"As well as identifying offenders, it can also eliminate innocent people from enquiries. It helps to focus the direction of major investigations, resulting in savings in police time and in building public confidence.

"As the importance of DNA evidence in investigation and detection has increased, the importance of this database has become invaluable.

"Merseyside Police will continue in its proactive approach in supplying samples for the database as part of its Total War on Crime."

OPINION: PAGE 10

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