Law Weblog

Government will keep DNA profiles for six years, not 12

Friday 13 November 2009 at 2:02 am | In News | Post Comment The Government will remove from its DNA database the profiles of most adults and young people arrested but not charged or convicted of an offence after six years, this will include fingerprints.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled last December that the UK Government’s “blanket and indiscriminate” retention of DNA information was not fair and was a “disproportionate interference with the applicants’ right to respect for private life”, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Earlier this year the Home Office said it planned to retain DNA profiles on innocent people for a maximum period of 12 years.

The plans do not extend to terrorist offences

The UK maintains the largest national DNA database in the world. The Government says it plays an essential role in fighting crime and providing justice for victims.   Between April 1998 and September 2009 there were more than 410,589 crimes with DNA matches, providing the police with a lead on the possible identity of the offender.

In addition to DNA profiles on the database, all DNA samples, such as blood, urine or mouth swabs used to create the DNA profile will be destroyed. The Government also plans to give police new powers to take DNA samples from anyone convicted abroad, or convicted before the creation of the DNA database in 1995.

More details here