Firstly I will state that I have no problem with my DNA profile being held
responsibly by the police on an indefinite basis. I do not plan to commit a
crime, let alone one where my DNA may be used as evidence, but I am happy
that should I ever be a suspect my DNA profile can be immediately checked
without the need to cause me inconvenience, and my innocence so far as the
DNA is concerned "proven". It also pleases me that the perp's DNA can be
checked and they be swiftly dealt with.
However, playing devil's advocate a little, it was once said on a TV report
that a man was convicted mainly on DNA evidence and an expert said that the
chance of it not being this man was 1 in 10 million. Using rounded numbers,
let's say that there are 60 million people in the UK. If you switch the
numbers around, then this means that there are 5 other people in the UK with
same profile. Therefore you can argue that there is a 6-1 chance he didn't
do it. It's the other evidence that goes with DNA that "wins" the case, so
perhaps it's not wise to think of DNA as the be all and end all?
Also if there are 5 other people that might match your DNA profile, at what
point does the profile become personal data?
I know there are BIG holes in the above scenario, but it's got me
thinking....
Simon Howarth.
-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian Welton
Sent: 25 July 2004 22:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [data-protection] Police to retain DNA records of cleared
suspects
Charles Christacopoulos on 23 July 2004 at 13:42 said:-
> Police to retain DNA records of cleared suspects ... article in The
> Register
Have now had the opportunity to have a quick look.
From memory this is the implementation of some legislation from some years
ago. As I recall any DNA sample given to the police may be retained
indefinitely, (was not a driving agent the cost of analysis?). I suppose
the very large DNA analysis backlog was cleared some time ago, after the law
was passed, so that database should be beginning to expand.
The fraught police have often struggled to grasp DP, with their focus more
on self control and allied to security, as with many organisations, comfort
comes with great data holdings. There was never as much recognition that
accountability followed a similar route, although resistance to audit trails
could always indicate some awareness.
The sad Huntley debacle, comments and disputes may be seen by some in a
slightly different light, as this is not new law spilling out of this
particular case.
One thought which occurred to me was how much more difficult it could
eventually become to obtain DNA samples voluntarily. The changes in the law
to allow the forcible taking of samples could be a reflection of that
thought also occurring elsewhere. I guess eventually it will make economic
sense to test babes at or before birth, as the cost of analysis is bound to
fall with improvements in technology, or other benefits being perceived.
Ian W
> -----Original Message-----
> From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Charles
> Christacopoulos
> Sent: 23 July 2004 13:42
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Police to retain DNA records of cleared suspects
>
>
> Hi,
>
> Police to retain DNA records of cleared suspects ... article in The
> Register http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/23/police_dna_retention/
>
> Enjoy (if you can)
>
> Regards
> Charles
>
> --
> Charles Christacopoulos, Management Information Officer, Planning &
> Information, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, Scotland, United
> Kingdom. Tel: 44(0)1382-344891. Fax:
> 44(0)1382-348845.
> http://www.somis.dundee.ac.uk/ ::egothor http://www.egothor.org/
>
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