DNA database controversy continues

[28th February 2008]

Discussions continue this week about implementing a universal DNA register. While some say it would create a 'nation of suspects', others argue that many more criminals would be caught and brought to justice.

A senior police officer suggested a universal register, after Mark Dixie (Sally Anne Bowman's killer) and Steve Wright (the Ipswich man who murdered five prostitutes), were both caught because their DNA was taken after unrelated offences.

However, shadow home secretary, David Davies, has stated that a universal DNA database would be too intrusive and would raise serious ethical issues.

To add to the debate, two Sheffield men have taken a case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, to try to get their DNA from the UK national database. The men were arrested and had DNA samples lawfully taken, but they have since been cleared of any crime. They now want their DNA samples removed as they feel it casts suspicion over them for crimes in the future. A ruling is scheduled for later in the year. If the ruling results in their samples being removed, it could lead to thousands of other samples being removed too.

To read the full story about the debate, visit the BBC News website.

To read about the case the Sheffield men are taking to the European Court of Human Rights, see the article on the BBC news website.

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