Privacy topics

2. DNA Profiling

Every person has a unique DNA profile.

Ever since 1995, the UK police have built up the largest DNA database in the world. By 2015, it held over 5.7 million records. One in every eleven UK residents are recorded in the database.

Just like the fingerprint database, as more records are added, it makes it that much more likely that a crime is solved with the help of this database

Keeping a DNA record of all criminals to solve future (or past) crime seems to make sense.

But consider these situations:

• A person is found innocent of the crime - should their record be erased from the database?
• A person has been found guilty of a minor offence. Should they remain on record for ever?
• Should we go the whole hog and keep a DNA profile of every person in the UK including new born babies?
• Should we have a DNA record of every visitor that comes to the country?

What do you think? What is the balance?