More than 1 in 10 people now have their DNA on West Midlands Police's database

Nov 25 2009 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

THE genetic fingerprints of more than one in ten people in the West Midlands are stored on the DNA crimefighting database.

The shock figure emerged as West Midlands Chief Constable and Britain’s top cop of forensics rejected claims that police were routinely arresting people just to get their DNA samples. The claims were made by a retired superintendent in a report by the Government’s genetics advisers into the running of the DNA database.

The officer wrote to the Human Genetics Commission warning that the tradition of arresting only when dealing with serious offences had collapsed.

“It is now the norm to arrest offenders for everything if there is a power to do so,” he said.

“It is apparently understood by serving police officers that one of the reasons, if not the reason, for the change in practice, is so that the DNA of the offender can be obtained.”

Civil liberties groups have seized on the accusations, saying database rules were creating a “perverse incentive” for officers to arrest the innocent.

According to the latest figures, West Midlands Police added 306,519 profiles to the database, or 118 profiles per 1,000 people in the region.

The force’s Chief Constable Chris Sims said: “DNA evidence has helped to solve numerous crimes as well as bringing offenders to justice. The police service recognises its use must be reasonable and retain the support of the public. Taking a person’s liberty away through arrest is a hugely significant step.”