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Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).

See the MOPC website for further information.

Agenda - The National DNA Database (NDNAD) and the use of DNA in policing

Civil Liberties Panel
1 July 2010
09:30 until 12:30
London’s Living Room, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London, SE1 2AA

Open public meeting - ‘Come and have your say’

8.45 - Doors open at City Hall
(Please allow time to go through the security processes for City Hall).

9.00 - coffee and tea available in London's Living Room on the top floor of City Hall.

9.20 - Welcome from the chair.

9.30 - Meeting commences.

Areas of focus:

  • What informs your views and knowledge of the DNA database and the use of DNA in policing?
  • How do you think the taking and / or retention of DNA affects individuals and families?
  • How do you think particular communities are impacted e.g. ethnic minority and / or religious communities?
  • What information is provided by the police and other bodies?
  • How confident are you about the security of the DNA database?
  • What do you know about the process of requesting removal from the DNA database and do you think this is fair?
  • What do you think are the positive aspects of the database?

12.00 – 12.30 Summation of key points made during the discussion

12.30 - Buffet Lunch

More information

The Civil Liberties Panel has chosen to focus its second report on the National DNA Database and the use of DNA within policing. This MPA scrutiny commenced as political, media, public and civil libertarian concern has intensified. In December 2008 the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that the blanket and indiscriminate retention of DNA in England and Wales is in breach of Article 8 of the ECHR, the Right to Privacy. The Labour government responded to the ECtHR ruling via the Crime and Security Bill 2009, now the Crime and Security Act 2010. This act received Royal Assent despite containing contentious provisions which are not supported by opposition parties. The debate continues.

The MPA Civil Liberties Panel has interviewed senior Metropolitan Police officers and representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers about the National DNA Database and the use of DNA in policing. Over the next few months they will be carrying out a series of visits to the MPS and the National Police Improvement Agency (the Custodians of the National DNA Database) to look at the processes and systems that are in place in relation to DNA and its use within the police service.

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