January 4, 2006: DNA and Crime Detection

According to the Home Office, detection of crime through DNA technology has quadrupled over the last five years. A new report, “DNA Expansion Programme 2000-2005: Reporting Achievement”, has just been published. The report demonstrates that the the DNA Expansion Programme has:

• Trebled the number of profiles added to the database in the last five years compared with the five years to 2000. This has increased the number of profiles on the National DNA Database (NDNAD) to reach a target of 2.5 million individuals by March 2004 and now holds over 3 million.
• Funded an additional 600 crime scene staff, and made significant improvements to crime scene attendance rates.
• Resulted in a 74% rise in the number of crimes where potential DNA material is collected.
• Doubled the number of crimes for which a crime scene profile was loaded on the NDNAD, leading to a significant increase in suspect-to-scene DNA matches.
• Produced a 75% increase in the number of DNA suspect-to-scene matches.
• Enhanced the ability of the police to detect serious crime - providing them with around 3000 matches a month.

New powers to take and retain DNA samples and fingerprints from all persons arrested for a recordable offence were introduced through an amendment to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 in April 2004. More information on the DNA database is available from the Forensic Science Service.

Home Office Minister Andy Burnham stated:

“The UK is a world leader in the use of DNA to detect crime and this report demonstrates the success of the DNA Expansion Programme since its inception in 2000."

“As well as enhancing the ability of the police to detect serious crime - providing them with around 3000 matches a month - the Government’s significant investment of £241 million and the commitment to increase the number of profiles on the NDNAD has enabled the police to make greater use of ever-improving DNA technology at crime scenes."