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News
Judge sparks DNA debate
5 September 2007
A call by a senior judge for everyone in the UK to be profiled on the national DNA database has received a mixed response
DNA samples from all UK residents and visitors should be added to the national database, according to one of England's most experienced judges.
Lord Justice Sedley told BBC radio's Today programme that the present situation means that innocent people, who happen to have been in contact with the police, have a permanent DNA record, while a great many people whose DNA would show them guilty of crime, walk free.
He also said that ethnic profiling means that a disproportionate number of people from ethnic minorities end up on the system.
Over the last five years the UK's DNA database has expanded significantly. It now contains around 4m samples, making it the largest system in the world. Police using it to solve serious crime are making around 3,000 matches each month.
Maintaining and developing the database is one of the government's top priorities, with government and police investment of more than £300m so far.
The Home Office said it welcomed the judge's contribution to the debate on DNA profiling, but had no plans to introduce a universal compulsory, or voluntary, national DNA database.
A review of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, which sets out powers to take and store biometric data, is under way.
"The aim of the review is to ensure proportionality and fairness by maintaining the important balance between the investigative needs of the police and the protection of the individual," a Home Office spokesperson told GC News on 5 September 2007.
"Final proposals are due to be published in spring 2008 and will take account of the views received during the consultation, as well as those of Lord Chief Justice Sedley."
Richard Thomas, the information commissioner, warned that there are significant risks associated with creating a universal database. It would be highly intrusive, and the more information collected, the greater the risk of false matches and other mistakes, he said.
"The potential for technical and human error leading to serious consequences cannot be under estimated. There are also significant practicalities to address, such as keeping track of people, and keeping the records up to date and accurate."
However, Thomas welcomed the debate stimulated by Lord Justice Sedley's comments, especially his concerns about unfairness with the current system.
Liberal Democrat shadow home secretary Nick Clegg said that although the judge's comments show a "total disregard for concerns about privacy and civil liberties", at least he had been honest. By contract, Clegg said, the government are secretly creating a universal database without the knowledge of the public.
Source: Kable's Government Computing
Publication date: 05/09/2007 12:54:33
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Kable is Europe's leading authority on the impact of e-government and public sector technology. It offers a range of public sector ICT research services, events and publications including GC and Smart Healthcare magazines.
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