Fop 1 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Innocents fear DNA database errors By Lucy Cockcroft Last Updated: 1:44am GMT 26/11/2007 Thousands of people could be accused of a crime they did not commit as a result of errors in records on the national DNA database, it emerged last night. Innocents fear DNA database errors Over 100 possible inaccuracies in the DNA database have been found In the past year, more than 100 possible inaccuracies in the documentation of DNA profiles have been discovered, and a further 1,500 administrative mistakes have been logged on the system. The figures, uncovered through a Freedom Of Information request, reveal incorrect spellings, dates, police crime codes and duplications that have left many records compromised. In some cases information may have been added to the wrong profile, forcing police to delete the affected records. Most of the mistakes have now been rectified but The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), a non-departmental public body responsible for managing the DNA database, admitted errors could still be made. A spokesman said: "The number of discrepancies discovered by the Data Quality and Integrity Team has only been recorded since January. advertisement "Between January and November 1,450 demographic discrepancies have been discovered and rectified. Some of these are spelling errors, date taken amendments and Force code amendments. "The Custodian Accreditation Service has identified and logged 111 unexpected results — possible errors — for the financial year 2006/07 that have resulted in the deletion of a profile or an amendment to the profile." Last night David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said: "This is a stark reminder of the dangers of relying on supposedly perfect methods when they are administered with a carelessness that has become characteristic of this Government." John Hemming, an internet entrepreneur and the Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley, is investigating how so many errors have been made on the DNA database. He said: "It is important that people recognise Government databases are not necessarily 100 per cent accurate. "It is quite clear you can't trust the Government with your personal information. They need to massively tighten up the way they deal with these issues." Details of about 4.5 million people are now held on the database, which is thought to be expanding at a rate of 30,000 profiles a month. Information on every person arrested by police has been added, including an estimated one million people who were not convicted, and DNA from 900,000 children. A spokesman for the Home Office said: "The DNA database has revolutionised the way the police can protect the public through identifying offenders and securing more convictions. "It provides the police on average with around 3,500 matches every month." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml.../26/ndna126.xml You're on the DNA database for a perfectly innocent reason, as at least 1.5 million people already are and suddenly you're accused of a rape or murder or even just theft you didn't commit. Fun, fun, fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Innocents fear DNA database errors By Lucy Cockcroft Last Updated: 1:44am GMT 26/11/2007 Thousands of people could be accused of a crime they did not commit as a result of errors in records on the national DNA database, it emerged last night. Innocents fear DNA database errors Over 100 possible inaccuracies in the DNA database have been found In the past year, more than 100 possible inaccuracies in the documentation of DNA profiles have been discovered, and a further 1,500 administrative mistakes have been logged on the system. The figures, uncovered through a Freedom Of Information request, reveal incorrect spellings, dates, police crime codes and duplications that have left many records compromised. In some cases information may have been added to the wrong profile, forcing police to delete the affected records. Most of the mistakes have now been rectified but The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), a non-departmental public body responsible for managing the DNA database, admitted errors could still be made. A spokesman said: "The number of discrepancies discovered by the Data Quality and Integrity Team has only been recorded since January. advertisement "Between January and November 1,450 demographic discrepancies have been discovered and rectified. Some of these are spelling errors, date taken amendments and Force code amendments. "The Custodian Accreditation Service has identified and logged 111 unexpected results — possible errors — for the financial year 2006/07 that have resulted in the deletion of a profile or an amendment to the profile." Last night David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said: "This is a stark reminder of the dangers of relying on supposedly perfect methods when they are administered with a carelessness that has become characteristic of this Government." John Hemming, an internet entrepreneur and the Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley, is investigating how so many errors have been made on the DNA database. He said: "It is important that people recognise Government databases are not necessarily 100 per cent accurate. "It is quite clear you can't trust the Government with your personal information. They need to massively tighten up the way they deal with these issues." Details of about 4.5 million people are now held on the database, which is thought to be expanding at a rate of 30,000 profiles a month. Information on every person arrested by police has been added, including an estimated one million people who were not convicted, and DNA from 900,000 children. A spokesman for the Home Office said: "The DNA database has revolutionised the way the police can protect the public through identifying offenders and securing more convictions. "It provides the police on average with around 3,500 matches every month." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml.../26/ndna126.xml You're on the DNA database for a perfectly innocent reason, as at least 1.5 million people already are and suddenly you're accused of a rape or murder or even just theft you didn't commit. Fun, fun, fun. This thing is a pandora's box in the waiting. Overkill by a control freakery and paranoid state. I read something about kids without realising giving their dna in some kind of schools educational programme....Without realising it was being added to the actual database. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordy 1 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I read something about kids without realising giving their dna in some kind of schools educational programme....Without realising it was being added to the actual database. yea i saw that too completely disgusting you simply shouldn't be on their if you haven;t commited a crime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Good article. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jht...raffdrv07053100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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