§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 11,000 DNA samples referred to in his speech of 12 October and held by the national centre were taken from(a) persons suspected of crime, (b) persons subsequently convicted of crime and (c) other persons; how many of these persons have been notified that their samples continue to be held; and for how long they will be held. [39957]
§ Mr. MacleanA precise breakdown of the samples held on the national DNA database on 12 October is not available.
The database currently contains approximately 11,200 profiles from samples taken from individuals under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, as amended, and approximately 600 profiles from crime scene samples.
512WThe information is given in the attached table. There are no absconds from escort—only escapes.
Profiles derived from samples taken from people who are not suspected of crime but who volunteer to participate in mass screenings are not held on the database.
On the retention of samples, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given in his question on 31 October, Official Report, column 166.