More than 5 million people now on DNA database
Still growing despite court ruling
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The estimated number of people whose DNA profile is stored by the government has broken the five million mark for the first time.
Some 5,094,568 individuals are now thought to be represented on the National DNA Database, according to updated figures.
The total accounts for an estimated replication rate of 13.8 per cent. The number of actual DNA profiles is 5,910,172 - about one for every ten people in Britain. In July there were 5.6 million entries.
The updated figures were released by Home Office minister Alan Campbell in answer to a Parliamentary question.
The untrammelled growth of the world's largest repository of human DNA information on a per capita basis has continued, despite the government's defeat at the European Court of Human Rights last December.
A panel of judges ruled that the policy of retaining the DNA profile of every person arrested forever was illegal. So far the government has taken no action to comply with the ruling.
A proposal to shorten the maximum retention period to 12 years was dropped last week. New plans are now expected in the Crime and Policing Bill, in the Queen's Speech on November 18.
Also last week, an official report showed that despite the growth of the database, detections based on DNA evidence have fallen. ®
COMMENTS
good grief
there are better countries out there to live in
@Andy Bright
"So why do ministers believe the entire population of Britain are criminals simply biding their time, waiting for the appropriate crime to make itself available?"
Because they themselves are prone to criminality - just look at the expenses claims. Apparently it's ok just to say sorry and pay it back. Try that in the real world. "'m sorry Dixons, I ramraided your store and stole a whole load of LCD tvs but it's OK because I'm sorry. Here's the remains. We're good now no?"
And of course the police say they're going to investigate and strangely find nothing worth bringing any charges.
Everyone is a criminal?
Here's a direct quote for you from the Guardian,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/oct/28/dna-database-innocent-profiles
"Ministers said they wanted to keep the profiles of innocent people for between six and 12 years depending on the seriousness of the offence."
Riddle me that one batman. Anyone failing to see an abuse of power here? Let me translate this for you.
If the police swab your DNA during a period of time that a serious crime is being investigated, your DNA can be stored for 6-12 years. Your link to this crime might be as strong as living in the same area it was committed, say London. The police may know you haven't committed the crime, in fact they probably do know this. But a serious crime was committed, your unrelated DNA was taken and therefore logically they can keep this for a decade if they choose. No don't argue, it's there in black on white. We want to keep the profiles of innocent people (that means people who've committed no crime) for a period of 6-12 years depending on the seriousness of the offense they haven't committed.
So why do ministers believe the entire population of Britain are criminals simply biding their time, waiting for the appropriate crime to make itself available? Take a look at their own behaviour. It's often said a thief will suspect everyone else of being thieves.
Interesting isn't it. Next you'll be saying something like innocent unless proven guilty. Oh how naive you are. Innocent UNTIL proven guilty.. by the DNA we just happen to have on file. You can trust us not to contaminate a crime scene with your DNA, after all when has government tech or the UK police force ever made a mistake in the past? 'You may use the other side of the paper if you run out of space' is the quote that springs to mind.
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