Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by DanBC 4213 days ago
England has an extensive DNA database (largest in the world) and it's hard to get taken off it, even if you voluntarily give your DNA. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7532856.stm

> Innocent people who volunteer to give a DNA sample during a police inquiry, for instance to help narrow a police search in a major murder investigation, also have their details kept on record.

Most people don't volunteer their DNA; it's taken off them when they're arrested, and it's kept even if they're not convicted. It's even kept if they're released without charge, although there are time limits for that after a 2008 case. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk/7764069.stm