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DNA Database

Answer

The purpose of the National DNA Database (NDNAD) is to hold a record of a person's DNA which can be matched against DNA taken from crime scenes. The NDNAD only reports matches between DNA profile records based on DNA profile compatibility, and sends them to police forces for the use in an investigation. It does not hold data on arrests, charges and convictions. Such information is held on the Police National Computer (PNC).The NDNAD does not hold data on reported matches and their outcomes (sanction detections). Obtaining this information would require cross searching of records held on the PNC against the NDNAD, and then contacting each police force that received the DNA match to ascertain the outcome. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.It is not possible to provide details of the number of searches made of the National DNA Database (NDNAD) in each of the last five years. Each time a subject or crime stain profile is loaded onto the NDNAD it is searched against all the retained profiles. No record has been kept of the number of searches but thousands of these searches are made of the NDNAD every day.In the last five years the following matches have been recorded:

(i) Matches where a crime scene was linked with one or more subjects
	Number
2006-07	42,208
2005-06	44,611
2004-05	40,879
2003-04	39,335
2002-03	43,904

(ii) Matches where a crime scene was linked to another crime scene
	Number
2006-07	3,349
2005-06	4,237
2004-05	4,349
2003-04	2,816
2002-03	3,258

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

149759; 463 c1171-2W

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Databases Genetics

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk