DNA Database
September 17, 2007 by Jake Anders
There is no doubt that the national DNA database is an incredibly useful tool in the fight against crime, however it is also a potentially a very dangerous tool.
A senior judge, Lord Justice Sedley, recently suggested that everyone in the UK, including any visitors, should have their DNA samples taken and then stored on the police national computer. The logic for this is that it would be fairer than the present system where those on the database disproportionately represent minority groups in the country. It would also remove the stigma from those who are on the database.
However, the problem with this theory is that currently the media and, to some extent, our justice system treats DNA evidence as if it is irrefutable. While it may be highly unlikely that the actual DNA evidence is incorrect, we know that human error is a very real possibility, especially if the DNA samples are stored on one of the government’s infamous IT projects.
On the other hand, there is no doubt that the present system of anyone who has come into contact with the police being on the database is unfair, and has lead to a strong bias towards those from ethnic minorities having their data held. It would be better to respond to this situation by setting a time limit after which the DNA data held would be removed, assuming that the subject is not currently under investigation or similar.
Sources:
- Has our DNA database gone too far? - BBC News
- All UK ‘must be on DNA database’ - BBC News
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