Record number added to DNA database

Published Date: 10 October 2008 The number of people whose details were added to the DNA database rose to its highest level in a single year, new figures have revealed. Samples taken placed on the National DNA Database went up by 1% in 2006-07 to 722,464, according to the annual report. The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), which published the report, said more than 4.4 million people's DNA was stored on the database, making it the largest in the world per head of population. Taking into account replication factors, there were 3.8 million different individuals represented on the database up to the end of March 2007. Of those, 79.6% were from men, 41% from people aged 15-24 and 8% from children aged 14 and under, the report revealed. The database has been the subject of criticism over its inclusion of DNA samples... [read full story]