link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3088920.stm
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Last Updated: Monday, 8 September, 2003, 02:08 GMT 03:08 UK
DNA tests sought 'for every Briton'
Every single person in the UK should be compelled to have their DNA on the national database in an effort to prevent crime, a senior police officer has argued.
Currently about two million people who have been charged with criminal offences have their DNA profiles on the national database.
But Kevin Morris, chairman of the Police Superintendents Association, told the Times newspaper opposition to extending the scheme to every man, woman and child was overstated.
The association will call this week for the extension as a tool to revolutionise the fight against crime and solve hundreds of murders.
Civil liberties campaigners have always opposed the suggestion, arguing it is intrusive to make such demands of people who have done nothing wrong.
Campaigners also fear that data could eventually be used by insurers looking for genetic predispositions towards certain serious illnesses.
They also argue that any such move would make all people feel like suspects.
But Mr Morris told the newspaper: "If we have a compulsory database to which every citizen is expected to donate their DNA as a responsibility within our society, I fervently believe we will not only detect crimes quicker but we will help prevent them in the first place.
"With estimates suggesting that there are as many as 600 people in the UK who have committed murder but who escaped initial detection, the question has got to be asked why we can't do more.
"Experience has shown that the general public come forward in their thousands when they believe their sample will help police to detect a serious crime."
Mr Morris told the newspaper people would be more worried about abuses of the DNA by commercial companies than about being seen as suspects.
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The following is repeated for emphasis:
"...we will not only detect crimes quicker but we will help prevent them in the first place."
Its staggering that Inspector Morris could pass off the obvious problems with his proposal. i.e., The ease with which a DNA sample could be planted at a crime scene. Malevolent or innocent screw-ups in the database. The presumed infallibility with which DNA evidence in treated these days.
I'd like to hear opinions on this proposal, please try to steer clear of the Brit-bashing, 'cause we've had cases of DNA sweeps taking place in the USA as well.
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Last Updated: Monday, 8 September, 2003, 02:08 GMT 03:08 UK
DNA tests sought 'for every Briton'
Every single person in the UK should be compelled to have their DNA on the national database in an effort to prevent crime, a senior police officer has argued.
Currently about two million people who have been charged with criminal offences have their DNA profiles on the national database.
But Kevin Morris, chairman of the Police Superintendents Association, told the Times newspaper opposition to extending the scheme to every man, woman and child was overstated.
The association will call this week for the extension as a tool to revolutionise the fight against crime and solve hundreds of murders.
Civil liberties campaigners have always opposed the suggestion, arguing it is intrusive to make such demands of people who have done nothing wrong.
Campaigners also fear that data could eventually be used by insurers looking for genetic predispositions towards certain serious illnesses.
They also argue that any such move would make all people feel like suspects.
But Mr Morris told the newspaper: "If we have a compulsory database to which every citizen is expected to donate their DNA as a responsibility within our society, I fervently believe we will not only detect crimes quicker but we will help prevent them in the first place.
"With estimates suggesting that there are as many as 600 people in the UK who have committed murder but who escaped initial detection, the question has got to be asked why we can't do more.
"Experience has shown that the general public come forward in their thousands when they believe their sample will help police to detect a serious crime."
Mr Morris told the newspaper people would be more worried about abuses of the DNA by commercial companies than about being seen as suspects.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following is repeated for emphasis:
"...we will not only detect crimes quicker but we will help prevent them in the first place."
Its staggering that Inspector Morris could pass off the obvious problems with his proposal. i.e., The ease with which a DNA sample could be planted at a crime scene. Malevolent or innocent screw-ups in the database. The presumed infallibility with which DNA evidence in treated these days.
I'd like to hear opinions on this proposal, please try to steer clear of the Brit-bashing, 'cause we've had cases of DNA sweeps taking place in the USA as well.
