Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 28 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 March 2006. It was answered by Andy Burnham (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 April 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

DNA Database

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of DNA profiles held in England and Wales relate to individuals who have been (a) convicted of a recordable offence, (b) charged with a recordable offence and (c) arrested but subsequently released without being charged, broken down by ethnic origin in each case.

Answer: No information on ethnic origin, or self-identity, is available with respect to DNA records. I would refer the hon. member to the answer given on 2 March in relation to the ethnic appearance of those arrested and subsequently released without charge. Data in respect of the charge and conviction status of people represented on the national DNA database broken down by ethnic appearance is not readily available and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information