|
|
Translate:
              Don’t extend DNA database, says minister
Thursday, March 27th, 2008 The DNA database should probably not be extended and should certainly never become universal, Home Office Minister Tony McNulty has said, writes Matthew George. He also told the Commons Home Affairs Committee, which is inquiring into whether Britain has a surveillance society, that such fears were the “meat of myths”. He insisted the regulatory oversight of surveillance - ranging through the DNA database and CCTV cameras to automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and interception of communications - was robust. “The idea of big brother or big sister sitting on everybody’s shoulder makes great copy for the newspapers - but it is simply not the case.” A review of the DNA database, being conducted as part of a wider look at the operation of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) which underpins it, will conclude later this year. McNulty said it was looking at DNA retention issues, especially concerning under-18s and whether those not convicted of crimes should go on it, as well as if PACE should continue as the statutory basis, or whether the database should have its own primary legislation. The recent convictions of murderers Steve Wright and Mark Dixie as a result of the database sparked a debate over whether it should be universal. Lincolnshire chief constable Tony Lake, who speaks for the Association of Chief Police Officers on the database, says if it were universal there is absolutely no doubt more crimes would be solved. Even more controversially, Gary Pugh, Scotland Yard’s director of forensic services, said primary school should be eligible for the database if they behaved in a way that indicated criminality in later life. McNulty told the committee he was not convinced by a national DNA database: “There is a logic to it, but I cannot accept it. Broadly, where we are now is where we should be.” However he stressed he did not agree with the premise the database was counter to civil liberties, not least because of the high-profile murder cases solved by because suspects being on it for minor crimes, such as assault. Asked about Pugh’s comments, he replied: “I do not accept what he said at all and nor do Acpo as I understand it. We are getting into the realms of potential guilt or future guilt, and I don’t accept that at all.” He would “probably lean against” putting non-recordable crimes on the database, and there would not be such a move if he has his way. http://www.publicservant.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=5529 Have Your Say: Don’t extend DNA database, says minister Please read our posting guidelines before posting. Alternatively you can discuss this report here. Related News
|
Supreme Court rejects appeal for death row inmate Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 08:30 PM Go to Forum
| Latest Topics
US government admits Taliban talks are needed in Afghanistan Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 08:08 PM Iraq oil grab Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 07:57 PM Socialist Worker News, 7 October Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 07:34 PM Nato Attacks Killed 3,200 Afghan Civilians Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 06:14 PM Iran forces US warplane to land. Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 02:17 PM Are We About To Witness The End Of Banking Globalisation As We Know It? Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 01:31 PM Why nationalisation isn't socialism Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 12:23 PM 10-foot wide space rock to hit us tonight….really Last post by TMI @ 11:44 AM Icesave Freezes UK Bank Accounts Last post by Nostalgia @ 11:43 AM  Email This Page To A Friend Latest Headlines
More Breaking News  Archive |
TOP NEWS DISCUSSIONS |
LATEST NEWS DISCUSSIONS |
|
|
Another Education is Possible Censorship and Freedom of Speech |
denita commented on: McCain-Palin Campaign Increasingly Staffed by Bush Administration Officials the usa election is a set up…(they gave him a chance to... Continue Reading & Reply Maximus V commented on: VIDEO: Martin Bell - Media Censorship & War Criminals There is a prof in the background 40.11 into this vid, when the question about... Continue Reading & Reply Andrew Yu-Jen Wang commented on: Would Obama prosecute the Bush administration for torture? George W. Bush’s sentence-by-sen tence speaking skills are... Continue Reading & Reply Uncle B commented on: Oil: A global crisis I am looking to build a ‘zero running cost, zero upkeep’ shelter for my retirement. It will also consume... Continue Reading & Reply |
|
The views expressed in the RINF news wire and newsletter are the sole responsibility of the author (s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the webmaster. RINF.COM: Breaking News & Alternative Media is Copyleft - Copy & Distribute Freely. News Forum |
Loading ...
