So a high profile judge has come out and said that the whole country should be on the DNA database (and visitors to our country). Well – it’s more logical than the serendipity we have at the moment where if the police arrest you, regardless of innocence or guilt – your DNA is taken and kept on record. However, it’s nuts. Outside of the rights and wrongs of civil liberties and the onset of a police state – the practicalities should see that idea murdered at birth.
Only last week I blogged about the answer to my parliamentary question on the accuracy of the current 4,000,000 strong DNA database – to receive a reply admitting that something like 500,000 of the entries are inaccurate – with wrong name or wrong address.
Why oh why oh why are the government (and judges) so keen on spending zillions keeping track of the innocent rather than tracking down the criminal? Guys – spend the money on police – and on helping to prevent crime through education and youth services.
Yes – DNA is a fantastic detection tool and provides the corroborating evidence required for a conviction. But DNA isn’t the Holy Grail – and the more everyone holds it up as such – the less likely we are to have the proper professionalism applied to detecting crime. Eggs and one basket are the words that come to mind.
Lynne Featherstone 
I think using DNA technique is more logical than paranormal psychology to catch criminals. It is also a well proven scientific technique. I remember reading couple of months back that CIA was employing Uri Geller to catch terrorists. After watching news last night and looking at the video footage of the most wanted terrorist, I wonder what went wrong in that department! However, I do agree when mistakes are made in the DNA record section, name and addresses get mixed up and the records get wiped off, consequences are sever.