Whose DNA is placed on the database?
Anyone arrested for a recordable offence.
New laws mean that everyone arrested of a recordable offence can be added to NDNAD. The final decision of whether to add them or not is up to the Chief Constables, but in reality people are automatically added and very few people are ever taken off.
Volunteers
The police can ask people to give a sample of their DNA as a way of eliminating
them from enquiries. In these cases, people must sign a consent form if they
agree to having their DNA added to the database. However, GeneWatch has learnt
of incidents where people have signed consent forms without really understanding
what they are signing. Unfortunately part of the form stipulates that in England
and Wales, consent, once given, cannot be withdrawn. In contrast, in Scotland
volunteers can change their minds and ask to be removed from the Database. The Human Genetics Commission and MPs on the Science and Technology Committee have argued that volunteers in England and Wales should also be able to withdraw their consent.