Contents

This page contains briefing paper ps/07/06 on the use of the national DNA database.

Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).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

Parliamentary briefing on the use of the national DNA database

ps/07/06
24 February
2006
MPA briefing paper

Author: Ruth Hastings Iqball, Committee Officer, MPA

This briefing paper has been prepared to inform members and staff. It is not a committee report and no decisions are required.

Summary

Over 3 million DNA profiles from individuals are now on the National DNA Database® (NDNAD). Whilst there is overall support for the Database as an intelligence tool, there is a need to balance the benefits to society and individual rights. The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology has issued a briefing paper providing an overview of the NDNAD and covering issues such as the retention of the database and the extraction of information from of samples and ethical oversight of DNA. The newsletter can be found at www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn258.pdf

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