Written question asked by Chris Huhne (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 19 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 February 2010. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 on behalf of the Home Office.

DNA: Databases

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his contribution on Second Reading of the Crime and Security Bill, 18 January 2010, Official Report, column 35, if he will provide detailed information on each of the 36 cases of DNA data being held on the National DNA database for those previously arrested but not convicted of an offence in which DNA evidence was vital in securing a conviction in cases of (a) rape, (b) murder and (c) manslaughter.

Answer: [holding answer 24 February 2010]: The information given at Second Reading of the Crime and Security Bill was the outcome of an analysis by the Association of Chief Police Officers' Criminal Records Office (ACRO) and the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) of information held on the police national computer, following consultation with the Senior Investigating Officers in each of the 36 cases referred to. In 2008-09 there were at least 79 DNA matches for rape, murder and manslaughter where the original sample was taken for an offence that did not result in a conviction. 36 of these matches were found to have a direct and specific value to the investigation. It is not our policy to release details of individual cases without the explicit consent of the victims or their families. In any case, some of the cases remain before the courts.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 508 c932-3W; 318422
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Crime and Security Bill
Monday, 18 January 2010
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons
Subjects: Databases DNA
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk