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Public consulted over DNA fears Public consulted over DNA fears
(about 22 hours later)
The public are to be asked whether the DNA database has expanded too much, amid concerns the innocent are discriminated against.The public are to be asked whether the DNA database has expanded too much, amid concerns the innocent are discriminated against.
The UK holds 3.6m DNA samples - the world's biggest database.The UK holds 3.6m DNA samples - the world's biggest database.
As well as criminals, samples are retained from those arrested but not convicted, and from victims and witnesses who give their consent.As well as criminals, samples are retained from those arrested but not convicted, and from victims and witnesses who give their consent.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics will also hear views on the socioeconomic and ethnic make-up of the database.The Nuffield Council on Bioethics will also hear views on the socioeconomic and ethnic make-up of the database.
Critics say the database is skewed, with opposition parties, civil liberties activists and even the inventor of DNA fingerprinting wanting major changes.Critics say the database is skewed, with opposition parties, civil liberties activists and even the inventor of DNA fingerprinting wanting major changes.
But the government and the database's supporters say it has revolutionised the fight against serious crime, catching many rapists and murderers who would otherwise have remained at large.But the government and the database's supporters say it has revolutionised the fight against serious crime, catching many rapists and murderers who would otherwise have remained at large.
Professor Alec Jeffreys said hundreds of thousands of innocent people's DNA was now held.Professor Alec Jeffreys said hundreds of thousands of innocent people's DNA was now held.
The power of detecting these offences as far as the victims are concerned should never be underestimated Chief Constable Tony LakeThe power of detecting these offences as far as the victims are concerned should never be underestimated Chief Constable Tony Lake
He told BBC News: "The real concern I have in the UK is what I see as a sort of 'mission creep'.He told BBC News: "The real concern I have in the UK is what I see as a sort of 'mission creep'.
"When the DNA database was initially established, it was to database DNA from criminals so if they re-offended, they could be picked up."When the DNA database was initially established, it was to database DNA from criminals so if they re-offended, they could be picked up.
"Now hundreds of thousands of entirely innocent people are populating that database, people who have come to the police's attention, for example by being charged with a crime and subsequently released.""Now hundreds of thousands of entirely innocent people are populating that database, people who have come to the police's attention, for example by being charged with a crime and subsequently released."
He said the samples were "skewed socio-economically and ethnically", adding: "My view is that that is discriminatory."He said the samples were "skewed socio-economically and ethnically", adding: "My view is that that is discriminatory."
And he was concerned that samples taken for one purpose could be used for different purposes in the future.And he was concerned that samples taken for one purpose could be used for different purposes in the future.
Last week prime minister Tony Blair revealed he had given his own DNA sample voluntarily in 1999 and said the maximum number of samples possible should be held on the database.Last week prime minister Tony Blair revealed he had given his own DNA sample voluntarily in 1999 and said the maximum number of samples possible should be held on the database.
'Shoe rapist''Shoe rapist'
Police now get more than 3,500 DNA matches a month. In 2005/6 they got matches for 45,000 crimes, including 422 murders and 645 rapes.Police now get more than 3,500 DNA matches a month. In 2005/6 they got matches for 45,000 crimes, including 422 murders and 645 rapes.
It is understood a large number of serious crimes have been solved, in part, thanks to retained samples of those previously not convicted of an offence.It is understood a large number of serious crimes have been solved, in part, thanks to retained samples of those previously not convicted of an offence.
Tony Lake, chief constable of Lincolnshire and chairman of the National DNA Database Strategy Board, said he understood concerns.Tony Lake, chief constable of Lincolnshire and chairman of the National DNA Database Strategy Board, said he understood concerns.
But he told the BBC: "My real concern is that we have a database where we don't maximise the advantages as far as the public are concerned.But he told the BBC: "My real concern is that we have a database where we don't maximise the advantages as far as the public are concerned.
The prime minister is a strong supporter of DNA technologyThe prime minister is a strong supporter of DNA technology
"The power of detecting these offences as far as the victims are concerned should never be underestimated.""The power of detecting these offences as far as the victims are concerned should never be underestimated."
He said it was not true that witnesses and victims automatically had their DNA put on the database, they had to volunteer in writing first. The process of giving a sample to help an investigation, and for the sample to be retained, is separate.He said it was not true that witnesses and victims automatically had their DNA put on the database, they had to volunteer in writing first. The process of giving a sample to help an investigation, and for the sample to be retained, is separate.
But once consent is given, it cannot be withdrawn, unlike in Scotland. Mr Lake said he was "personally uncomfortable" over this part of the system.But once consent is given, it cannot be withdrawn, unlike in Scotland. Mr Lake said he was "personally uncomfortable" over this part of the system.
Nuffield Council chairman Professor Bob Hepple QC said they would consult the public over whether the fact that a disproportionate number of DNA samples were from young men or ethnic minorities meant there was a "potential for bias" in law enforcement.Nuffield Council chairman Professor Bob Hepple QC said they would consult the public over whether the fact that a disproportionate number of DNA samples were from young men or ethnic minorities meant there was a "potential for bias" in law enforcement.
The Home Office does not give precise figures on the ethnic make-up of the database, but admits that the number of samples from black males is disproportionate to the make-up of the UK population.The Home Office does not give precise figures on the ethnic make-up of the database, but admits that the number of samples from black males is disproportionate to the make-up of the UK population.
DNA database campaigner Henry Porter said the young were also present in disproportionate numbers.DNA database campaigner Henry Porter said the young were also present in disproportionate numbers.
"There are 24,000 under-18s who have committed no crime, not been cautioned, not even been in the court, whose DNA is held on this.""There are 24,000 under-18s who have committed no crime, not been cautioned, not even been in the court, whose DNA is held on this."
The council will also look at whether it would be fairer to include everyone on the database - something that the government has stopped short of proposing so far.The council will also look at whether it would be fairer to include everyone on the database - something that the government has stopped short of proposing so far.
Prof Hepple said the central issue was whether the UK would "become instead of a nation of citizens, a nation of suspects".Prof Hepple said the central issue was whether the UK would "become instead of a nation of citizens, a nation of suspects".