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National DNA Database

Answer

The National DNA Database (NDNAD) does not hold self-reported ethnicity data, but data on the "ethnic appearance" of persons who have a DNA profile on the database. The ethnic appearance data have six broad ethnic categories plus "unknown". It is based on the judgment of the police officer taking the sample and is recorded for police intelligence purposes to assist in subsequent identification. The ethnic appearance data have only been recorded for volunteer samples since 2005. The table below shows the number of DNA profiles on the NDNAD broken down by ethnic appearance, as at 16 October 2009. "Unknown" means that no ethnic appearance was recorded by the officer taking the sample. The number of profiles held is not the same as the number of individuals. This is because some profiles are replicates—i.e. more than one profile is held for one individual. This may occur if, for example, an individual gives different names, or different versions of their name, on separate arrests. It is estimated that 13.8 per cent of the subject profiles held on the entire NDNAD are replicates. Data on the number of subject profiles retained on the NDNAD broken down by ethnic appearance are published in the NDNAD Annual Reports. The latest annual report for 2007-09 is published on the NPIA website at: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/14399.htm

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

278; 715 c74-5WA

Session

2009-10

Related items

National DNA Database
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Written questions
House of Lords

Notes

Answer corrected on 8 December 2009 at 715 c105-6WA.

Subjects

Databases DNA Ethnic groups

Link

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