Sex offender DNA files expanded
BBC | Police in Fife have become the first in Scotland to fully manage DNA samples from non-registered sex offenders. The force has started collecting swabs from people convicted before 1997 or who hold no record for sex crimes but are considered a potential danger.
Legislation only requires that DNA samples are kept on a database for registered sex offenders.
Officers have no power to force people to give their DNA but said they have had high levels of co-operation.
The system of managing the data is the same one used to keep track of registered sex offenders.
Eliminating suspects
Swabs are taken from the volunteer’s cheek and samples are stored in a forensic laboratory in Dundee.
Officers said that when a crime occurs, having a broader range of samples allows them to eliminate suspects more quickly.
Det Sgt Nigel Orkney, from the offender management unit, said: “Most importantly, it sends a powerful message to these offenders that they are more likely to be caught, proving an effective deterrent.
“We also hope it reassures the public that we are doing all we can to effectively manage our offenders and keep the risk of reoffending to a minimum.”
Fife Constabulary started gathering the DNA samples last year but now has in place a fully integrated system of managing registered and non-registered sex offenders.
Officers are continuing to collect DNA swabs to enter into the database.
See More:Database StateHave Your Say: Sex offender DNA files expanded
Please note, only selected comments will be published.
Or discuss this report in our our new forums
This entry was posted on Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at 7:31 pm and is filed under Science & Technology News . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Free Newsletter
Loading ...Related News
- DNA database solves 1 in 800 crimes
- Police lose track of nine sex offenders
- MoD requests ‘voluntary’ DNA samples
- DNA database swabs over 100,000
- Police DNA database ‘risks criminalising non-offenders’
Email This Page To A Friend
Latest Headlines
- ‘Challenging Authority’
- Torture Policies Undermine 9/11 Case
- Guantanamo official says he’s not resigning
- China Says Quake Death Toll Could Top 50,000
- McCain: Most Troops Will Be Home by 2013
- Watchdog: European DNA Database a Potential Nightmare
- Top Activist’s Detention Blot on Democracy
- White House denied knowledge of military analyst program
- President Bush should be impeached for war crimes
- Blair recalls despair at Bush’s victory
More Breaking News
Archive
