National DNA database grows on the genes of the innocent
Kids swell numbers
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Almost 600,000 genetic profiles taken from innocent people have helped swell the National DNA Database to cover about seven per cent of the UK population.
Home Office figures also reveal that DNA profiles from 39,095 children who have never been charged, cautioned or formally reprimanded are now on the database indefinitely. Two years ago there were 24,000 profiles from ten to 17-year-olds stored.
In 2004 police were granted powers to take DNA from everyone they arrest irrespective of the outcome of the investigation. According to the data released by junior Home Office minister Meg Hillier, almost half of profiles retained in the last two years are from such cases.
Opposition parties criticised the policy. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "There can be no excuse for storing the DNA of innocent adults, let alone children, who are entirely blameless." The Tories called on the government to allow a parliamentary debate on the issue.
That could prove unnecessary, however. A legal challenge by two Sheffield men is currently under consideration by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. If it finds in their favour the government could be forced to remove all the DNA profiles it retains from innocent people. ®
COMMENTS
@JonB
Never argue with an idiot, they'll beat you down to their level and win on experience.
Re: It's no good...
Not really, PC plod is doomed. After I get the jump on the arsehole when they try to take my DNA from me, that plod will no longer be pissing in the shallow end of the gene pool.
That this means I now have a deserved criminal record means nothing: as far as NuLab are concerned, I was guilty anyway. So I really do have nothing to lose.
(Note: in a boxing match, most knockouts are a long way into the fight where one of the fighters is just too tired to take it any more. Quick KOs are only where the other person didn't know it was coming. So if you go first and unexpectedly, you can win big time. 'course his ten mates will try to stop you falling down and hurting yourself, but you will have had at least some success. And there are more people than police.)
JonB
Uh, just to check so I can see whether I need to insult you again:
Are you saying that when you are arguing with an idiot (me) you should make sure that I am not arguing with an idiot (you) as well?
If so, fair enough.
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