Wednesday 9th January 2008

Inquiry Into DNA Database

Inquiry after fears speeding could land drivers on database

---

There is to be an inquiry into the police DNA database following fears its use could be extended to speeding drivers and litterbugs.

Government advisers the Human Genetics Commission are to oversee an inquiry into the way DNA records are used in the fight against crime.

The system has already been criticised for being too large and unfairly targeting ethnic people.

A large number of innocent people have found themselves on the database, which is said to be the largest in the world.

Last year it was reported police are seeking powers to take DNA samples for non-imprisonable offences such as speeding.

HGC chairman Sir John Sulston said: 'The police in England and Wales have powers to take a DNA sample from anyone arrested or detained on suspicion of a wide variety of offences, from serious crimes like murder and rape to begging or poaching.

'These powers to take DNA without consent are much stronger than in any other country and it has been suggested that they might be extended even further, to include offences such as speeding and dropping litter.

'There is an important balance to be struck between individual rights and public safety and we need to know how people feel about these issues.'

The inquiry’s conclusions are expected to be published in Spring.

[HeavyRightFoot]

Bang go your rights!

I really think there is a huge chance of this information being mis-used!!

Worrying!

[Raging Demon]

oh dear...whats next goverment runs selective breeding programme?...and our guys died in the wars for this sh*t, where are our rights gone, this stuff really turns my stomach with disgust.

Edited by Raging Demon on Wednesday 9th January 11:38

[nobrakes]

Just wait until the data is lost and crims can work out how to leave trace of someone else! Like stealing number plates!

[mark69sheer]

DNA is a two edged sword.

I am very sceptical of its true usefulness.

I could be in a room where two hours later a murder is commited unknown to myself and before I know it I am suspect number one two three or whatever arrested and given no rights and one phone call to hopefully my family but no guarantee and no apologies.

[Neomagic]

The end is nye I tell the!

Seriously expect more of this crap if people don't stand up now!

[fb902350]

don't know why you're all worrying about it.

it's not like they're going to lose the information is it?... d'oh!

[Raging Demon]

Neomagic said:

The end is nye I tell the!

Seriously expect more of this crap if people don't stand up now!

yeah but the problem is we're too effin british about it our protest would go something along the line of 'you sir are a rascal and i feel i must protest in the strongest terms possible...blah blah blah' on the other hand the frenchies would unite overnight and burn half country thats the only way to get noticed in this day and age- be dramatic! f*ck respect and courtesies when someone is screwing you at every turn and in every aspect of your life- what really winds me up is that 'proppa' criminals still get off scott free as the pigs are too busy hitting speeding targets and catching hard working, more or less law abiding average joes.

(please note unemployed scallies/chavs do not form part of my average joes)

[Droptheclutch]

Must get out of this damned counrty!!!!

[Mr Whippy]

Time to start logging your own movements as evidence to protect yourself!

Useless government policies mean the police are ineffective, so they just try make their job easier with a catch all net. Nice.

s.

Dave

[tigger1]

Mr Whippy said:

Time to start logging your own movements as evidence to protect yourself!

Would never be admissible - too much scope for inaccuracy.

Unlike DNA which is 100% right, all of the time, and no mistakes are ever ever made.

Not.

There's no way the govt / police will back-track on the DNA thing.

[Chris71]

IF DNA was 100% reliable I wouldn't be too worried about this TBH. IN rality that depends how much you trust the police to make use of it...

[BOF]

Once got a point in a pub quiz...

'What is the meaning of DNA?'

'National Dyslexics Association!'

BOF.

[havoc]

tigger1 said:

Mr Whippy said:

Time to start logging your own movements as evidence to protect yourself!

Would never be admissible - too much scope for inaccuracy.

Unlike DNA which is 100% right, all of the time, and no mistakes are ever ever made.

Not.

There's no way the govt / police will back-track on the DNA thing.

Sadly I agree...all that is left now is the Peers...if the House of Lords don't block this (or can't block this), we're stuffed...really stuffed.

And I've realised I don't really want to emigrate...but I'm not sure what other option there is...

[MiniMac]

Say I get my DNA taken as I am a suspect / witness / help the police.

I am found to be entirely innocent. Can I have the details removed?

[havoc]

MiniMac said:

Say I get my DNA taken as I am a suspect / witness / help the police.

I am found to be entirely innocent. Can I have the details removed?

You have the right to ask for your details to be removed.


...read that whichever way you feel like!

[Al 450]

I don't have a problem with this, if you have done nothing wrong then there is surely nothing to fear?

Compulsory DNA sampling would eliminate serial rapist cases and that has to be a good thing, we all have mothers, sisters etc.

[highfiveman]

tigger1 said:

"And I've realised I don't really want to emigrate...but I'm not sure what other option there is..."


The other option is simple - In May - don't vote Labour.
Everybody moans about the Government but nobody votes - how will things change?

[TEKNOPUG]

Al 450 said:

I don't have a problem with this, if you have done nothing wrong then there is surely nothing to fear?

Compulsory DNA sampling would eliminate serial rapist cases and that has to be a good thing, we all have mothers, sisters etc.

That would be fine if the Police had never been found guilty of planting evidence or framing innocent people....

[mikemmb]

havoc said:

tigger1 said:

Mr Whippy said:

Time to start logging your own movements as evidence to protect yourself!

Would never be admissible - too much scope for inaccuracy.

Unlike DNA which is 100% right, all of the time, and no mistakes are ever ever made.

Not.

There's no way the govt / police will back-track on the DNA thing.

Sadly I agree...all that is left now is the Peers...if the House of Lords don't block this (or can't block this), we're stuffed...really stuffed.

And I've realised I don't really want to emigrate...but I'm not sure what other option there is...

I think you are right about the Peers being our last hope.

Whatever you may think about the rights and wrongs of how they got into their position, they are (sorry where) a source of stability in this country and could put a stop to madcap excesses from whatever political side had lost touch with reality.

Sadly the ruling fanatics could not tolerate such dissent and have taken steps to limit their power, but hopefully they still have enough left to help us.

Mike

[odyssey2200]

With a National DNA database ( or damned close to) and Plod under pressure to tick boxes and solve crimes.
Who here would be supprised if random DNA, which a jury would believe in 100%, would be "found" at the scene of a crime.


Crime detection figures down
Plod not looking too good
Plod plant DNA
Plod nicks bloke to order.
Jury sold on DNA being 100% accurate
Jury convicts bloke (wrongly)
Plod ticks box, crime solved, aren't plod great!!