This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7563850.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
DNA of 'blameless' youths stored DNA of 'blameless' youths stored
(about 2 hours later)
Ministers have been accused of building a national DNA database "by stealth" by retaining profiles of nearly 40,000 children never convicted of a crime.Ministers have been accused of building a national DNA database "by stealth" by retaining profiles of nearly 40,000 children never convicted of a crime.
The government confirmed there were 39,095 DNA profiles of 10-18 year olds from England and Wales who were never cautioned or charged. The government says there are 39,095 DNA profiles of 10-18 year olds from England and Wales who were arrested but never cautioned or charged.
It argues that retaining DNA is an important intelligence tool for police fighting serious and violent crime. The Home Office said retaining DNA was a "key intelligence tool" for police fighting serious and violent crime.
The Lib Dems say the DNA of "blameless children" should not be retained.The Lib Dems say the DNA of "blameless children" should not be retained.
'Startling figures''Startling figures'
Last month a government-funded inquiry recommended that DNA profiles of people who had never been convicted of a crime should be removed from the database, which it said should be controlled by an independent body. Last month, a government-funded inquiry recommended that DNA profiles of people who had never been convicted of a crime should be removed from the database, which it said should be controlled by an independent body.
But currently samples from anyone in England and Wales - innocent or guilty - can be kept on file indefinitely. But currently samples from anyone arrested for a recordable offence and detained at a police station in England and Wales - innocent or guilty - can be kept on file indefinitely. Innocent people who volunteer to give a DNA sample during a police inquiry also have their details kept on record.
In Scotland DNA samples taken when people are arrested must be destroyed if the individual is not charged or convicted - unless they are accused of a violent or sexual crime. People who give samples during arrest, but are later not charged or are cleared, can apply to the chief constable to have them removed in "exceptional circumstances".
Junior Minister Meg Hillier confirmed on Friday that there were 349,934 DNA profiles of under-18s on the database - 87.1% of which had been either convicted, cautioned, or had received a final warning. In Scotland, DNA samples taken when people are arrested must be destroyed if the individual is not charged or convicted unless they are accused of a violent or sexual crime.
Junior minister Meg Hillier confirmed on Friday that there were 349,934 DNA profiles of under-18s on the database - 87.1% of whom had been either convicted or cautioned, or had received a final warning.
She also acknowledged there were 39,095 DNA profiles of youngsters who were never cautioned or charged.She also acknowledged there were 39,095 DNA profiles of youngsters who were never cautioned or charged.
Mr Huhne, the Lib Dems' home affairs spokesman, said: "These startling figures show that the government is building a national DNA database by stealth. Chris Huhne, the Lib Dems' home affairs spokesman, said: "These startling figures show that the government is building a national DNA database by stealth.
This is yet more evidence that the DNA database is totally arbitrary with tens of thousands of innocent kids on it but not every offender in our prisons Dominic GrieveConservativesThis is yet more evidence that the DNA database is totally arbitrary with tens of thousands of innocent kids on it but not every offender in our prisons Dominic GrieveConservatives
"There can be no excuse for storing the DNA of innocent adults, let alone children, who are entirely blameless.""There can be no excuse for storing the DNA of innocent adults, let alone children, who are entirely blameless."
He said many people with criminal records were not on the database and said the government could not be trusted with its security.He said many people with criminal records were not on the database and said the government could not be trusted with its security.
For the Conservatives, shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said there should be a Parliamentary debate on the issue, and the DNA database should be put on a statutory basis.For the Conservatives, shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said there should be a Parliamentary debate on the issue, and the DNA database should be put on a statutory basis.
"This is yet more evidence that the DNA database is totally arbitrary with tens of thousands of innocent kids on it but not every offender in our prisons," he said."This is yet more evidence that the DNA database is totally arbitrary with tens of thousands of innocent kids on it but not every offender in our prisons," he said.
'Cold cases''Cold cases'
But the Home Office argues the database has revolutionised the way the police protect the public and is a "key" instrument in the fight against violent crime, burglaries and rape. The Home Office argues that the database has revolutionised the way the police protect the public and is a key instrument in the fight against violent crime, burglaries and rape.
It says that in a 12-month period between 2006 and 2007, DNA evidence had been used in police investigations into 644 rapes, 222 other sexual offences, 1,900 violent crimes and more than 8,500 domestic burglaries. It says that in a 12-month period between 2006 and 2007, DNA evidence was used in police investigations into 644 rapes, 222 other sexual offences, 1,900 violent crimes and more than 8,500 domestic burglaries.
A Home Office spokeswoman said the government had no plans to introduce a universal database.
She added: "Inclusion on the DNA database does not signify a criminal record and there is no personal cost or material disadvantage to the individual simply by being on it."
The UK has the largest police DNA database in the world, with more than four million people on file, and it has been used to solve a number of "cold case" inquiries in recent years.The UK has the largest police DNA database in the world, with more than four million people on file, and it has been used to solve a number of "cold case" inquiries in recent years.
In England and Wales people who give samples during arrest, but are later not charged or are cleared, can apply to the chief constable to have them removed in "exceptional circumstances".