DNA database contents very disturbing - Featherstone

12.00.00am GMT Wed 4th Jan 2006

On the day that the Government announced that the national DNA database has over three million entries, new figures revealed by Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone MP, shows that there are 139,463 people who have a DNA profile on the national DNA database (NDNAD) who have not been charged or cautioned with an offence.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said"This is an intolerable infringement of liberty and personal privacy.

"There is no purpose or justification for keeping the DNA record of anyone who is not charged with an offence. We cannot be absolutely certain that there will be no misuse of the DNA database. There are no real safeguards in place to control it.

"With the growing concern about racial profiling and disproportionality in criminal investigations, the need to keep innocent people on the DNA database is questionable."