DNA INJUSTICE

[Alison J Stevens]

Have you or your child been arrested and had your DNA and fingerprints taken by the police?

If so, you will probably have a computer record on Britain’s National DNA Database.

The Government is currently keeping innocent people’s records on the DNA database until they reach age 100. In Scotland it is against the law for the Government to do this.

At least 900,000 innocent people who have been arrested in England, Wales or Northern Ireland are thought to have their DNA and computer records retained.

If you are concerned about how the Government might misuse this information, or fail to keep it safe, you can use this website to help you get your computer records deleted and your DNA destroyed.

The most important thing to do first is to write a letter to the police

If you do not have a caution or conviction for any crime, the Write your letter page will generate your letter automatically for you to print out and post.

See the Help with your letter page if you have any problems with the form, or if it does not fit your personal situation.

Taking further action

The Government has proposed new legislation in the Crime and Security Bill 2009/10, which would keep innocent people’s DNA and fingerprint records for six years after their arrest. Records of arrest on the Police National Computer
would not be removed at all. To find out more, visit the further action page. If you disagree with the
Government’s proposal, it is important to contact your MP.

Why reclaim your DNA?

Your computer record on the National DNA database can be used to trace you or your relatives. A sample of your DNA, containing your personal genetic information, will also be stored by one of the commercial laboratories that do
work for the police. Your DNA sample contains some private information about
your health.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that it is illegal for the Government to keep all this personal information from innocent people, but the police have not yet started to destroy innocent people’s DNA or take their
records off the database, except in a few special cases.

On 28th October 2009, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission gave Chief Constables 28 days notice to change their guidance on removing innocent people’s DNA records, in order to comply with the European Court’s judgment. You can read
the story in the Guardian.

You can find out more about the issues using the menu on the right.

Even if you are not on the DNA database you should still contact your MP if you disagree with what the Government is doing.

You can make a difference

If you take action now you can make a difference to what happens to your DNA and help to change the law pain.