DNA Data Bank

The UK Forensic Science Service (FSS) established the world’s first DNA database in April 1995.

It is allegedly the largest in the world. It contains samples from more than 7% of the population. The database grows by 30,000 samples each month.

Police forces in the UK (excluding Scotland) can take DNA and fingerprints from anybody arrested on suspicion of a recordable offense and hold the samples indefinitely whether people are charged or not.

The privacy of samples stored in these data banks has become a major legal, political, ethical, and moral issue.

The potential for error and privacy violations become greater each day, and yet, many are quick to assume that the only people who have reason for concern are the guilty.

On 4th December 2008, 17 judges at The European Court of Human Rights unanimously ruled that keeping DNA samples of innocent people was unlawful. As a consequence, thousands of DNA samples on the UK DNA database may have to be destroyed.

The UK government has responded by saying, “The existing law will remain in place while we carefully consider the judgement."

In early 2007, five employees of Britain's national DNA database agency were arrested on charges of industrial espionage for allegedly stealing DNA information from the database and using it to set up a rival firm.

Civil rights activist Shami Chakrabarti said the alleged theft from the database, which houses DNA samples from nearly 4 million people, was cause for concern.

"This is hugely significant and should make every law-abiding person seriously worried. People are looking after these databases who have less and less of a public-service ethic,"

Civil rights groups have long been critical of the controversial database, arguing there are no real safeguards to prevent misuse.

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