Long wait for DNA database innocent
Innocent people accused of rape will have to wait more than a decade before their DNA profiles are deleted from the national database, under new plans.
All suspects accused of serious violent and sexual offences who are released without charge will have their genetic profile stored for 12 years under the proposals.
Anyone falsely accused of less serious crimes will stay on the database for six years before being removed automatically, the Home Office said.
Current rules, under which everyone arrested has their genetic fingerprint stored indefinitely, were ruled illegal by the European Court of Human Rights last year. Judges in Strasbourg said the policy of retaining all suspects' data was "blanket and indiscriminate".
The Government's response makes clear criminals convicted of "recordable" offences - those which can lead to a prison sentence - will stay on the database for life, as will under 18s who commit sexual or violent crimes. But youngsters convicted of only one minor offence will be deleted from the database when they turn 18.
Police will also track down around 30,000 criminals who committed serious sex or violent crimes before the database was built so their profiles can be added.
All genetic material taken from suspects, such as blood or swab samples, will be destroyed.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "The DNA database plays a vital role in helping us do that and will help ensure that a great many criminals are behind bars where they belong.
"These new proposals will ensure that the right people are on it, as well as considering where people should come off. We will ensure that the most serious offenders are added to the database no matter when or where they were convicted.
"We also know that the database has provided matches for a significant number of serious crimes as well as providing thousands of matches for less serious crimes that cause great concern to victims, such as burglary, which is why we are proposing to keep some profiles for six years."
