What is the National DNA Database?

The National DNA Database is a police database which contains information from DNA found at scenes of crimes, and taken from individuals who have been arrested, convicted or acquitted of a recordable offence, as well as volunteers who provided a DNA sample to assist with an investigation and consented to their DNA information to be added to the DNA Database.

A DNA sample is taken from an individual at arrest either by two cheek (buccal) swabs or 10 hairs pulled from the root. Ten sections of the DNA are then analysed and the DNA information obtained from these sections is known as a DNA profile. The DNA profile is added to the National DNA Database and the sample is stored in laboratories around the UK on the behalf of the police.

Once a person’s details are added to the DNA Database, it remains there for 100 years, unless a Chief Constable grants permission for the DNA information to be removed.

At present, the DNA Database contains the DNA information of almost 8% of the UK’s population (over 4 million people) and is the world’s largest DNA database in terms of the proportion of a country’s population. Some researchers predict that 25% of the male population and 7% of the female population will be on the database in the future.

Arguments for a universal DNA Database

Some people say that a universal DNA database (i.e. a database which would store DNA information of every UK citizen) would overcome any race, gender and socio-economic class bias in the DNA Database. For example, approximately 2% of white males compared with 9% of black males are on the National DNA Database, and DNA information from three out of four black males between the age of 15 and 34 is currently stored on the Database.

At present, some people’s details are on the National DNA Database even though they have not committed a crime. Some say that a universal database would remove any stigma about being placed on a police database.

Some say that society will be safer as people may be deterred from committing crimes and that crimes will be solved quicker if there was a universal database in place.

Others say that more 'cold cases' could be solved (ie unsolved crimes which occurred years ago).

Arguments against a universal DNA Database

Some argue that to take a DNA sample from every UK citizen is an unnecessary expense as most people do not partake in criminal activity and that the money would be better spent elsewhere.

DNA can reveal personal information about a person’s health and behaviour, and some are concerned how this information could be used by the state and the police in the future.

Some question the ethics of taking DNA samples from those who are unable to give their consent (e.g. babies and young children, those with learning difficulties, the elderly whose cognitive skills are declining, etc.).

Others say that the creation of a universal database would create a nation in which the status of its citizens would be turned from presumed law-abiding citizens into a nation of potential suspects.

Some say that with an extended database, the chances of false matches will increase.

Others argue that a universal database is unnecessary because DNA evidence is not always relevant to the crime (eg fraud).