FSS(r)’s DNA database(r) to be reviewed, tho you wdn’t think so from DirectGov(r)

WRITTEN ON January 9th, 2008 BY William Heath AND STORED IN Uncategorized

After years of promoting and expanding the national DNA database and “maximising opportunities for DNA data sharing” the tribe of the great clunking fist has decided to have an citizens’ enquiry about the ethics of it all, to be run by the Human Genetics Commission.

DNA pioneer Prof Sir Alec Jeffries’ concerns are widely reported eg by the Beeb

“The national DNA database is a very powerful tool in the fight against crime,” he said. “But recent developments such as the retention of innocent people’s DNA raises significant ethical and social issues.”

The lead NGO on this seems to be Genewatch run by Dr Helen Wallace

“The Home Office is losing public trust in the police use of DNA”, said Dr Wallace. “DNA can play an important role in solving crimes, but keeping everybody on the Database permanently is a step too far. The recent massive expansion of the Database has not increased the crime detection rate”. The Government frequently cites DNA matches (between crime scene DNA profiles and individuals’ DNA profiles stored on the Database) as evidence that the expansion of the Database has been successful. However, these include many matches with victims and innocent passers-by. Taking more DNA from crime scenes has improved the chances of solving crimes, but keeping more DNA from individuals has not. GeneWatch UK believes additional safeguards are needed to prevent misuse of the National DNA Database, including time limits on how long people’s records are kept.

Directionless footnote: If you want to find out more about the national DNA database you can Google it or ask DirectGov (which will make various irrelevant points such as that rubbish is illegally dumped somewhere in England every 35 seconds, new figures reveal. Indeed. By DirectGov, probably, aka “The random generator of self-referential public-service information”).

Meanwhile it seems the Forensic Science Service (r) is very into registered trademarks and refers to the National DNA Database (r). What’s that all about? Wibbi (r) they stopped all this nitwittery (r) right now. Here’s to a robust and effective enquiry that starts to rebuild trust.Actually, it’s worth seei just how irrelevant and out of date all the returns you get for “national DNA database” are from Directgov on the day government launches an enquiry into it. It goes like this:

A number of different agencies responsible for public safety, for preventing crime, and for prisoners, report to the Home Office, the Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Attorney General’s Office
Other criminal justice agencies in England and Wales
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Visit the National Archives’ online collection of public records, including academic and genealogical sources
Search the National Archives
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Children evacuated during the war will soon be recalling their extraordinary stories on the home front for a new national database
War evacuees tales to be saved for posterity
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Rubbish is illegally dumped somewhere in England every 35 seconds, new figures reveal
Fly-tipping database targets community polluters
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Home Secretary David Blunkett has published a draft Bill on a national ID card scheme
ID card pilot scheme under way
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

The proposed national ID card scheme will be a ‘gold standard’ for proving identity, not a ‘Big Brother-style’ surveillance tool, Home Secretary David Blunkett promised today
Identity cards ‘will protect civil liberties’
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Use the do-it.org database to find volunteering opportunities in the UK
Search and apply for a volunteering opportunity
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Information on where to find UK law, government publications and documents (including White Papers and Green Papers); and family records
Law, archives and information
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

The government will introduce a national intelligence system to share information on individuals who pose a risk to the public
Soham inquiry prompts action
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

The Prime Minister has made a statement on security to MPs in Parliament. He said that the Government’s priority is ‘a Britain strong in security, robust in our resolve, resilient in response’.
PM sets out his security strategy
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Qualifications: how to compare them. Find out the ‘levels’ for different qualifications and see how one type of qualification can lead on to another.
Qualifications: what the different levels mean
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Details of why you need an MOT certificate and how to replace the certificate
Your MOT certificate
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

How to choose and find trustees and potential sources of funding
Choosing trustees and finding funding
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Disabled People contacts: organisations, charities and support groups that offer advice and information to disabled people on accessing culture and the arts
Accessing culture and the arts
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

A major step forward in the fight against the rising threat of passport fraud is to be taken with the commencement of face-to-face interviews for passport customers, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) announced today
Interviews to target passport fraud begin
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Watch or read Prime Minister’s Questions from 18 October 2006
PMQs 18 October 2006
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Research shows that children will put off or avoid taking drugs if they feel they can talk to their parents about the subject
Drugs: what are the risks?
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

How you can raise money for a good cause or improve the lives of others if you aren’t able to form a registered charity.
Alternatives to registering as a charity
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

More people will face checks before entering the UK to further tighten the UK’s borders, Immigration Minister Liam Byrne announced today
Government to strengthen ‘Off-shore’ border
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Information for young people about applying for your first job and where to find vacancy adverts
Finding and applying for your first job
from http://www.direct.gov.uk/