Over 100 under-10s on the DNA database
Posted on Thursday, June 14th, 2007 by Home Office WatchCategory: Crime, DNA
Today we uncovered the worrying fact that over 100 children have been put on the DNA database before they even reached their tenth birthday.
DNA is stored until you hit 100 (whether or not you die) so those files will be stored for at least 90 years.
The rest of the data shows that, as of January, we had nearly 4.1m people’s DNA stored, so Britain retains its place at the top of the international league, with the largest database in the world.
I’m also fascinated to note that there are 46 DNA samples from people over the age of 90. Is a nonagenarian crime wave sweeping the country?
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June 16th, 2007 at 1:27 am
I believe that you are mistaken and that the rules have changed. Those files will be stored forever. The ACPO’s DNA Good Practice Manual states the DNA ‘profile will not be removed from the NDNAD after the death of the individual.’
(The PNC entry will be deleted at the first 100th year birthday - in case the Police holds several dates of birth for an individual)
See more info at http://gizmonaut.net/bits/suspect.html#D20061122
And GeneWatch estimates that over 105,000 innocent 10-17 year-olds have their DNA profile in the NDNAD. Source: http://www.genewatch.org/uploa.....ffinal.doc
br -d
June 21st, 2007 at 3:23 pm
How on Earth did u-10s get on the DNA database? You can’t be arrested that young so in what how did poice lawfully obtain their DNA?
The 90 years olds point is interesting. An Article 8 (right to privacy and family life) challenge to the database failed because the Law Lords accepted there was an arguable case that the database detects criminals. My feeling in my bones is that with 90 year olds that might become so remote a possibility that the argument no longer applies. One of these 90 year olds should should take a case.
Politically, we should all challenge our local Labour MPs to jusitify why they want our Gran’s DNA recorded!
July 17th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
The number of 10 or 90 year olds is, though interesting, frankly not the issue. The shcking fact is that over 150,000 people who were not even charged with a crime have had their DNA stored. Furthermore many others who have never been convicted of even the most minr crime are stored. Someone should propose a bill to outlaw this practice. Even if it fails at least we will see where M.p.’s true colours lie.
July 19th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
After a period of say 20 years free of crime, a person’s DNA records should be deleted as “spent” except for those who are guilty of very serious crimes. The innocent should not be on the database in the first place. Fingerprints are, it is said, deleted after use in cases where they were given to facilitate elimination of non-useful prospect suspects. When our house was robbed, the household gladly gave their fingerprints and the thief was found!
Beware of giving an offender a bad name for life.