United Kingdom National DNA Database

The United Kingdom National DNA Database (NDNAD; officially the UK National Criminal Intelligence DNA Database) is a national DNA Database that was set up in 1995. In 2005 it had 3.1 million profiles and in 2020 it had 6.6 million profiles (5.6 million individuals excluding duplicates).[1][2] 270,000 samples were added to the database in 2019–20, populated by samples recovered from crime scenes and taken from police suspects.[3] 124,000 were deleted for those not charged or not found guilty.[1][4] There were 731,000 matches of unsolved crimes between 2001 and 2020.[1]

Only patterns of short tandem repeats are stored in the NDNAD – not a person's full genomic sequence. Since 2014 sixteen loci of the DNA-17 system are analysed, resulting in a string of 32 numbers, being two allele repeats from each of the sixteen loci. Amelogenin is used for a rapid test of a donor's sex. Scotland has used 21 STR loci, two Y-DNA markers and the gender identifier since 2014.[5]

However, individuals' skin or blood samples are also kept permanently linked to the database and can contain complete genetic information. Because DNA is inherited, the database can also be used to indirectly identify many others in the population related to a database subject. Stored samples can also degrade and become useless, particularly those taken with dry brushes and swabs.

The UK NDNAD is run by the Home Office, after transferring from the custodianship of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) on 1 October 2012. A major expansion to include all known active offenders was funded between April 2000 and March 2005 at a cost of over £300 million.[6][7]

  1. ^ a b c National DNA Database Strategy Board Biennial Report 2018 - 2020 (PDF). His Majesty's Stationery Office. September 2020. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-5286-1916-5. Retrieved 6 November 2020. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  2. ^ "National DNA Database statistics, Q1 2015 to 2016". National DNA Database statistics. UK Government Home Office. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  3. ^ "All UK 'must be on DNA database". BBC. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
  4. ^ "Protection of Freedoms Act 2012: DNA and fingerprint provisions". Protection of Freedoms Act 2012: how DNA and fingerprint evidence is protected in law. UK Government Home Office. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  5. ^ Royal Society. (2017). Forensic DNA analysis : a primer for courts. London: Royal Society. ISBN 978-1-78252-301-7. OCLC 1039675621.
  6. ^ "DNA Expansion Programme 2000–2005: Reporting achievement" (PDF). Home Office. October 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2008. Retrieved 15 November 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ "The national DNA database" (PDF). Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. February 2006. postnote 258. Retrieved 6 December 2008. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)