§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether all mouth samples taken for DNA profiling purposes in criminal investigations are obtained by means of a swab taken from between the lip and the gum.
§ Mr. Tom KingYes. I can confirm that all mouth samples for DNA are obtained by inserting a sterile cotton wool swab into the area between the lip and gum and rubbing the swab over the inner surfaces. No scraping is involved.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times DNA profiling has been employed in criminal investigations of(a) scheduled offences, distinguishing between intimate and non-intimate and between those cases where the sample was taken voluntarily and those where the sample was taken without the consent of the suspect and (b)in non-scheduled offences.
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§ Mr. Tom KingDNA profiling has been employed in the criminal investigation of three scheduled offences and three non-scheduled offences.
In one scheduled case in which the technique was used before the statutory provision in the Criminal Justice Act 1988 came into force, it was not necessary to invite the suspect to provide any sample either intimate or non-intimate. In two cases (one scheduled and one non-scheduled) the suspects offered both intimate and non-intimate samples. In the remaining three cases, one of which was scheduled, the suspects offered only an intimate sample.
In these latter five cases, all the samples provided were taken with the consent of the suspects concerned.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times mouth samples have been taken for DNA profiling purposes in connection with criminal investigations of scheduled offences, distinguishing between non-tissue cases where the sample was taken with the consent of the suspect and those where the suspect refused consent.
§ Mr. Tom KingMouth samples have been taken from nine persons in connection with criminal investigations of scheduled offences. In all cases, these samples were taken with the consent of the person concerned.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many records of DNA samples obtained in the course of investigations of(a) scheduled offences and (b) non-scheduled offences have been (i) kept and (ii) destroyed.
§ Mr. Tom KingNo records of DNA samples obtained in the course of investigations have yet been destroyed. In two cases, one scheduled and one non-scheduled, convictions were secured. The remaining four cases are either awaiting court action or are still actively under investigation.