DNA ANALYSIS BY POLICE

77 Countries utilize DNA Analysis to combat criminality and terrorism

42 Interpol Member countries operate DNA databases in support of law enforcement

2002-36 European States used DNA-Analysis in criminal investigations.

2002-25 States operated their own DNA databases

EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSES

Great Britain-maintains largest DNA database of any country in the world..

5.2% of the UK population is on the database compared with 0.5% in the USA.

As of 2005 more than 3.4 million DNA profiles held in database, consisting of the majority of the active known offender population

To date: More than 700.000 Hits

Expect to hold more than 5 Million profiles within a few years

Loads 30,000 profiles per month

Changed laws to permit police to obtain DNA sample from any offender or suspect, regardless of the seriousness of the offense

Germany

First four years of DNA database:

Contained 308.000 DNA of Persons

62.000 DNA samples from crime scenes

21,400 Hits

15,200 cases cleared

AUSTRIA

Third largest DNA database

90,000 Profiles (20,000 are from crime scenes)

FRANCE

Until March 2003-DNA database only permitted to hold profiles of sex offenders sentenced to 7+ years

Since March 2003-Police may decide on when to obtain DNA sample

The following countries are in the process of developing a DNA database:

Bulgaria

Croatia

Iceland

Norway

Switzerland

Ukraine

Turkey

Russia has shown an interest in doing so

Interpol currently has a DNA database on line

European Union-

The terror attack in Madrid on 11 March 2004 resulted in declaration EU Parliament to:

Combat Terrorism

Engage in more efficient exchange of personal data such as DNA, fingerprints, Visa/Passport Data

Request assistance from Interpol

INTERPOL

Developed own software/database after FBI discontinued cooperation

Participating countries retain control over their DNA profiles

Access and nature of access can be controlled by country submitting DNA profile
(example: limited to certain countries and/or offenses

Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Austria have agreed to an exchange of DNA profiles using the Interpol DNA database platform. The exchange has not yet been operationalized.

The Interpol database has about 14.500 DNA-Profiles from 24 countries

Even with limited profiles, some international cases have already been cleared

Arab world may share DNA databases

DNA Databases: The new dragnet

The 2007 International Privacy Ranking