BS: UK DNA Database Too Inclusive?

Subject: BS: UK DNA Database Too Inclusive?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 24 Nov 09 - 11:31 PM

U.K. cops arrest people 'just for the DNA'

Reuters
updated 4:24 a.m. CT, Tues., Nov . 24, 2009

LONDON - Britain has built the world's biggest DNA database without proper political debate and police routinely arrest people just to get their DNA profiles onto the system, the genetics watchdog said in a report on Tuesday.

The Human Genetics Commission, which advises the government on the social, legal and ethical aspects of genetics, called for a review of the database and said new laws must be passed to govern its use.

In a damning report, the commission said "function creep" had transformed the system from a DNA store for offenders into a database of suspects.

More than three-quarters of young black men aged between 18 and 35 are on the system, the report said.

Set up in 1995, the database contains the DNA profiles of five million citizens, eight percent of the population, making it the world's biggest in proportion to population size.

"Parliament has never formally debated the establishment of the National DNA Database and safeguards around it," commission chairman Professor Jonathan Montgomery said in a statement.

"It has developed through amendments to laws designed to regulate the taking of fingerprints and physical evidence before DNA profiling was developed.

"It is not clear how far holding DNA profiles on a central database improves police investigations."

The report quoted an unidentified retired senior police officer as saying that "it is now the norm to arrest offenders for everything" in order to obtain a DNA sample.

... ... ...

Police in England and Wales can take and store the DNA of anyone arrested for a recordable offence, a category that includes all but minor crimes.

[end quote - more at the link]

Those of us in many places may have concerns about "appropriate collection and retention of personal information" by our governments. It has been noted for several years that the UK leads in the application of "surveillance" of the general public, that hasn't produced much in the way of objections from the public (that we've heard of) there. This, however, seems at least "somewhat invasive;" but perhaps people think it's ok?

John

Subject: RE: BS: UK DNA Database Too Inclusive?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Nov 09 - 11:40 PM

Going to other extreme: I always wondered why everybody's fingerprints were not on file: what a weapon in the fight against crime, I always thought. & what would the innocent have to fear?

People would scoff when I said this; but I was never convinced by their arguments. They would also say that the over-filling of the system would make retrieval a near-impossibility. But now, with computerised facilities for storage & retrieval, & replacement of dabs by DNA as identifier, I revert to this position. If all our DNA were available, the hints & accusations of racial invidiousness would disappear & we should all start with a level playing-field [as the cliche-metaphor has it]. I have no intention of committing any crime, & they can come & take a swab from me any time they like.

What does anyone think about that?

Subject: RE: BS: UK DNA Database Too Inclusive?
From: Janie
Date: 25 Nov 09 - 12:14 AM

I share your concerns, John.

In my opinion there is not nearly enough public concern, discussion and debate about this issue, as well as other issues about privacy and freedom vs. public safety.

Subject: RE: BS: UK DNA Database Too Inclusive?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 25 Nov 09 - 03:05 AM

A somewhat similar, but perhaps more general, series of articles is at Privacy Being Lost: Does Anybody Care?

This series of (5) articles looks primarily at US concerns, and includes some conclusions from a survey regarding whether anyone actually does care. (Note that it's a 2006 series, so may not be really current.)

John