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DNA: Databases

Answer

[holding answer 11 January 2010]: The number and proportion of recorded crimes of each type detected in which a DNA match was available in 2008-09 is shown in Table 1. The figures held do not include crimes detected as a result of one-off speculative searches of the NDNAD or from comparing DNA profiles in a forensic laboratory. One off speculative searches and DNA profile comparisons are used mainly in the investigation of serious crimes such as murder and rape. Therefore the figures provided in Table 1 will under-represent the overall contribution of DNA matches to the detection of serious crimes such as murder and rape.It is important to note that detections are achieved through integrated criminal investigation, not through DNA alone. The source of the figures provided is the forensic performance data, which are collected from police forces by the Home Office.Table 1 shows:"the number and types of crimes detected for which a DNA match was available.""additional detections, where an offender admits further offences following a detection for which a DNA match was available.""the total of these two types of detections (labelled 'DNA-related') as a proportion of recorded crime and as a proportion of sanction detections (the sanction detection rate in 2008-09 for total recorded crime was 28 per cent)."The table shows that 17 per cent. of all detected domestic burglaries, 20 per cent. of all detected other burglaries (burglaries other than a dwelling e.g. commercial premises, garden sheds, etc.) and 10 per cent. of all detected thefts of vehicle were 'DNA-related'.It should also be noted that most recorded crimes do not have any forensic opportunities (for example, minor assault, drugs offences, theft, fraud etc.). In 2008-09, only a small proportion of recorded crimes had a crime scene examination (17 per cent.); and only 39,795 crimes yielded DNA crime scene samples of sufficient quantity and quality for profiling and loading to the NDNAD.The data provided are management information and have not been formally assessed for compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

DNA-related detections 2008-09
Police forensic data—2 crime categories	Detections of crimes in which a DNA match was available ('DNA detections')	Additional detections arising from the DNA match	Total DNA-related detections ('DNA detections' and additional detections)	Recorded crime 2008-09	Total force detections 2008-09	Total DNA-related detections as proportion of recorded crime (percentage)	Total DNA-related detections as proportion of total force detections (percentage)
All other recorded crime	1,506	1,616	3,122	1,315,079	368,595	0.2	0.8
Criminal damage	2,886	896	3,782	936,729	131,442	0.4	2.9
Domestic burglary	3,702	4,015	7,717	284,445	46,500	2.7	16.6
Drugs offences	397	179	576	242,907	230,962	0.2	0.2
"Homicide"¹	70	4	74	11,248	4,583	0.7	1.6
Other burglary	3,830	2,571	6,401	296,952	31,371	2.2	20.4
Other sex offences	106	34	140	38,355	12,760	0.4	1.1
Other violent offences	861	168	1,029	892,745	422,224	0.1	0.2
Rape	168	1	169	13,133	3,411	1.3	5.0
Robbery	603	148	751	80,104	16,816	0.9	4.5
Theft from vehicle	2,036	3,655	5,691	444,647	42,642	1.3	13.3
Theft of vehicle	1,298	1,165	2,463	147,470	24,471	1.7	10.1
Unknown	144	150	294	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Total of 12 crime types	17,607	14,602	32,209	4,703,814	1,335,777	0.68	2.41
¹ The forensic data "homicide" crime category covers the following recorded crime categories:
Murder, Manslaughter, Infanticide—648
Attempted murder—575
Intentional destruction of viable unborn child—8
Threat or conspiracy to murder—9,559
Causing death by aggravated vehicle taking etc.—31
Causing death by dangerous, careless or inconsiderate driving—427
Total 'Homicide' crimes in 2008-09—11,248
Notes:
1. A 'DNA detection' means that the crime was cleared up and a DNA match was available.
2. 'Additional detections arising from the DNA match' occur when, for example, a suspect, on being presented with DNA evidence linking him to one offence, confesses to further offences. They arise from a crime with a DNA match; and are therefore detections where a DNA match played a part in solving the crime.
3. Total 'DNA-related detections' means 'DNA detections' plus 'additional detections arising from the DNA match'.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

504 c642-4W; 310120

Session

2009-10

Subjects

Databases DNA

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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