Sentenced to database

Published: 16 April, 2010

• GORDON Brown has criticised Tory and Lib Dem plans to scale down and remove DNA profiles of persons who have not been convicted of a crime. He says DNA helps put the most dangerous criminals behind bars.
That is entirely different from stockpiling DNA of innocent men, women and children for years on end. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the current position of indefinite retention is unlawful.
There are about six million profiles on the national DNA database, making it the biggest in the world, with 30,000 added every month.
Tony Blair said “you won’t get your DNA taken for dropping litter”, so it’s logical to infer that Tony means you can get it taken for just about anything else. Next time you jump a red light or have someone point you out from a crowd you might not be simply ticked off by a smiling copper but be added to that database for a minimum of six years.   
TOBY KEEN
Turnmill Street, EC1