DNA database comes under review

DNA can be collected from suspects who are subsequently acquitted

The government has launched a review of the use of information held on the national police DNA database.

The database now holds DNA samples from more than five per cent of the population. The Human Genetics Commission (HGC) will carry out the inquiry, which will include contributions from the general public.

HGC chairman Sir John Sulston is keen to hear all sides of the debate.

"The database has a preponderance of young men, with a third of all black males currently on it. And people are on it for life," he said.

"On the other hand, a steadily increasing number of serious crimes, including murders and rapes, are being solved and criminals brought to justice with it."

Currently the police can add the DNA of suspects who are subsequently acquitted to the database.

The review's conclusions, to be published in the spring, will feed into a report on the forensic use of DNA due next year.

In November last year information commissioner Richard Thomas said that possible advances in technology had not been considered when the system was set up.

"There has not been as much scrutiny of legislation as I would like to see," he said.

"We now have a situation where there are more DNA profiles on the database than anyone contemplated when the law was going through."