• Home
• About GeneWatch
• GM Crops and Food
• Human Genetics
  • Genes and Health
  • Genes and Marketing
  • Privacy and Discrimination
    • Genetic Testing in Insurance and Employment
    • The UK Police National DNA Database
      • A brief legal history of the NDNAD
      • Facts and Figures
      • Whose DNA is placed on the database?
      • What happens when someone is arrested.
      • Governance
      • Reclaim your DNA
      • The database in Scotland
      • Use of the DNA database for genetic research
      • Nuffield DNA consultation
      • Modernising police powers consultation
  • Genetic Research
  • Reproductive Genetics
• GM Animals
• Laboratory and Industrial Use
• Research Agendas and Patenting
• Biological Weapons
• Publications
• Press Releases
• Online orders

You are in Human Genetics → Privacy and Discrimination → The UK Police National DNA Database → Governance

Governance

Since it was set up in 1995, the National DNA Database (NDNAD) has been run by the Forensic Science Service (FSS) on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The NDNAD is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998, which requires that personal data should be obtained and used only for "specific purposes" and that processing should be "fair". However, it is unclear exactly what constitutes fair processing of genetic data.

The FSS has recently changed status from a trading fund to a Government owned company (GovCo), with a view to possible partial privatisation in the future. The loading of DNA profiles on the National DNA Database and reporting of subsequent matches is still provided under contract by the FSS, but may go out to tender in the future. The standard-setting and oversight of the Database is being transferred to a dedicated unit in the Home Office, governed by the National DNA Database Board. The Board has been criticised in the past for being insufficiently independent, partly because the FSS could, in effect, authorise its own research. Reviews by the Royal Commission in 1993, the House of Lords and House of Commons Science and Technology Committees (in 2001 and 2005), and the Human Genetics Commission (in 2002), have concluded that the Database needs an independent advisory body that includes lay membership.

A new Board is now being set up which includes representatives of the Home Office, the Association of Chief police Officers (ACPO), the Association of Police Authorities (APA) and the Human Genetics Commission (HGC). There are also plans (not yet implemented) to create a separate group to advise on ethics. However, it remains unclear how this new system will operate and who will make decisions about potentially controversial uses of the Database.

The following organisations can provide DNA profiles from DNA samples taken from individuals or from crime scenes for the NDNAD*.

• Forensic Science Service,
• LGC Limited
• Orchid Cellmark
• Tayside Police Forensic Science Laboratory
• Forensic Science Northern Ireland (individual samples only)
• Strathclyde Police Forensic Science Laboratory (crime scene samples only)
• Lothian and Borders Police Forensic Science Laboratory (crime scene samples only)

*Written answer to Parliamentary question by Joan Ryan 9th May 2006

↑ Top