MP wants ALL men in Bristol DNA screened to find killer

[garrence]

The police DNA database is illegal under European laws.

 

"The Court was struck by the blanket and indiscriminate nature of the power of retention in England and Wales. In particular, the data in question could be retained irrespective of the nature or gravity of the offence with which the individual was originally suspected or of the age of the suspected offender; the retention was not time-limited; and there existed only limited possibilities for an acquitted individual to have the data removed from the nationwide database or to have the materials destroyed."

 

The conservatives said they would stop this illegal retention of DNA data of the innocent, but haven't.

 

So we know that the police and government cannot be trusted with such sensitive data.

Edited January 9, 2011 by garrence
added quote

[spooky3]

The costs of murder investigations aren't going to just disappear because you have everyone's DNA on file. You still have to go through the rest of the process.

 

Oh absolutely, but it could cut out an inordinate amount of costly work!

[Twiglet]

And if an organisation or Bill Gates or someone miraculously stepped forward and offered to fund it what would your reaction to that be?

 

They aren't going to so it isn't a relevant argument.

[melthebell]

Well currently in the security world i'm not aware of anything! And yes i'm quite well read on the subject of security biometrics.

 

It can only be used in certain ways! Even then, they wouldn't be storing you actual DNA, just a digital signature. Your really worrying over nothing, i'm 99% sure!

and you know 100% that hackers couldnt do anything at all with it?

thats the thing......none of us know till it happens then its too late

 

everythings useful to somebody

[Frumius]

They aren't going to so it isn't a relevant argument.

 

Come on Twiglet. Its only a bit of a debate on SF. Imagine what your reaction would be. Are you opposed to a DNA database on privacy type grounds or is cost the main barrier. Or are you in favour if not for costs?

[spooky3]

and you know 100% that hackers couldnt do anything at all with it?

thats the thing......none of us know till it happens then its too late

 

everythings useful to somebody

 

I think DNA entry / cash systems are quite a way off. Even then it'd still be just as easy to crack the system rather than use the DNA, just consider those fingerprint checkers already available, basically all you need to do is a man in the middle replay attack. That's a lot easier than hoping some stupid government suit leaves a copy of the DB on the train which then gets sold on the black market for a mafia to buy. You could just crack the government system instead and download the lot. Either way, you'd still have to do a man in the middle attack at the source.

 

But for anyone to seriously just rely on a system like this is insane, because what happens when it gets stolen or lost. Better to use some form of one time tokens. Shame we went on the cheap when we implemented chip and pin nationwide.

[melthebell]

Shame we went on the cheap when we implemented chip and pin nationwide.

 

well thats britain for you, ive NEVER trusted any of our governments and big computer schemes theyve consistantly proved they cant handle them

[Alien]

You are still innocent until proven guilty. Even suspects enjoy that right. I am genuinely struggling to understand what people are worried will happen , even if the database is lost. Humour me Methelbel and spell it out for me in words of less than three sylables.

 

Can I ask how you would legislate? Voluntary? Forced?

[Twiglet]

Come on Twiglet. Its only a bit of a debate on SF. Imagine what your reaction would be. Are you opposed to a DNA database on privacy type grounds or is cost the main barrier. Or are you in favour if not for costs?

 

I don't have a strong opinion either way which is why I won't really be drawn on it. There are potential benefits but also significant drawbacks - aside from the privacy issues.

 

Detective work is the most valuable part of a criminal investigation. It should never get to the point where most investigations get the 'answer' first and the investigation is then done backwards.

[RichD]

Yes, there has. I'll have a look and see if I can find a link...

 

Ok, one instance where DNA evidence was used to convict someone of murder, even though nine forensic specialists questioned the validity of the samples.

 

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18215-knox-murder-trial-evidence-flawed-say-dna-experts.html

 

The lab says that DNA taken from the knife's blade produced a series of peaks that matched Kercher's DNA, while DNA from the handle produced peaks that matched Knox's.

 

To minimise the risk that some peaks arise from contamination, most US labs only count peaks falling above a height threshold of 150 relative fluorescence units (RFUs) and all dismiss those below 50. The trouble with the DNA found on the knife is that "most of the peaks are below 50", says Greg Hampikian of Boise State University in Idaho, who signed the letter and reviewed the DNA evidence.