DNA Databases
- Created by: AAntonianannetti
- Created on: 13-05-19 12:20
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- DNA Databases
- UK DNA Databases
- The National DNA Database is located in Birmingham
- Holds profiles from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Units from 5 organisations submit records onto the database
- Profiles derive from sample of human material collected from a crime scene
- For example: salvia, hair and blood
- Operation of the NDNAD
- Two main sets of data
- 2) Profiles generated from individuals
- 4.85 million samples in 2010
- 1) Profiles generated from evidence that has been collected from crime scenes
- 350,000 samples retained in 2010
- 2) Profiles generated from individuals
- Two main sets of data
- Holds profiles from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Other Services
- Vulnerable Persons DNA Database
- Missing persons DNA Database
- DNA mixture check through DNA boost
- Criteria
- the original criteria was that the person arrested for an offence punishable by imprisonment
- If person is found not guilty then their profile would be removed
- In 2001, the Criminal Justice and Police Act allowed samples to be retained even if the individual was not found guilty.
- These regulations were further relaxed in 2003-2005 with the Criminal Justice Act and Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.
- Purpose of DNA expansion was to increase the intelligence value of the NDNAD by increasing the number of DNA profiles held there
- Led to an increase in the number of DNA profiles
- In 2010, the NDNAD contained profiles of approximately 1 million individuals that had not been found guilty of any crime
- Challenges arose from the increase in profiles
- A landmark ruling was made by ECHR
- All profiles of those under 10 to be removed
- A landmark ruling was made by ECHR
- Challenges arose from the increase in profiles
- In 2010, the NDNAD contained profiles of approximately 1 million individuals that had not been found guilty of any crime
- Led to an increase in the number of DNA profiles
- Purpose of DNA expansion was to increase the intelligence value of the NDNAD by increasing the number of DNA profiles held there
- These regulations were further relaxed in 2003-2005 with the Criminal Justice Act and Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.
- the original criteria was that the person arrested for an offence punishable by imprisonment
- The National DNA Database is located in Birmingham
- Searching the database to find a march helps to identify a suspect in around 60 per cent of cases
- A biological sample will be submitted for analysis and compared to those on the database
- Cons
- Public Concerns
- Potential loss of data or misuse
- Being treated like a criminal
- The personal nature of the DNA
- Possibility of being falsely accussed
- Implications of having a criminal record for the rest of their life
- Critisms to expansion of the database
- Increases risk of miscarriages of justice due to false matches/errors
- Expanding the database did not help solve more crimes
- Matches are a poor measure of success - many matches are now with innocent people and not the perpetrator
- Access to DNA samples and profiles can allow unethical abuse
- Ethical considerations
- There is a need for a balance between protecting people from crime and protecting the right to privacy of innocent people
- Is it justified for the police to take DNA and fingerprint samples upon arrest?
- Is it justified for people data to be stored permanently even if they are innocent?
- What are the implications for innocent people having their details on a database
- There is a need for a balance between protecting people from crime and protecting the right to privacy of innocent people
- Ethical considerations
- Public Concerns
- Pros
- The severity of crime often increases with age - criminal activity often starts young
- Criminal tend to reoffend
- 90% rapists have had a previous conviction
- A small number of criminals can be responsible for a large number of crimes
- Linking these crimes together can aid investigations
- Recommendation / report of DNA databases
- The Nuffield Council for Bioethics Report 2007
- To promote public discussion and assist policy makers
- Ethical Values
- 'No reason to fear if you are innocent'
- Protection of the public from crime vs. protection of ethical values
- Developments
- DNA profiles of individuals of non-convicted individuals to be kept for a maximum of 6 years (3 for under 18s)
- All biological samples to be destroyed
- DNA profiles of volunteers no longer added
- Protection of Freedom Act 2012
- Innocent people's DNA profiles will automatically be removed from the database
- The Nuffield Council for Bioethics Report 2007
- UK DNA Databases
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